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The future of AI and trade

For all the constant buzz around AI, broad-based announcements about how AI has boosted profits are noticeably missing. The reason for this loud silence: it hasn’t happened—yet. AI is not an immaterial vapor hovering above the economy. The models that will power future change run on a foundation of physical inputs: cables, turbines, chips, and copper. These are bought and sold all over the world. This is why the one area AI is having a measurable effect on trade, write Olivia White and Tiago Dev

Primary source mckinsey.com ↗

Published May 28, 2026 · Category: AI Practice

Overview

For all the constant buzz around AI, broad-based announcements about how AI has boosted profits are noticeably missing. The reason for this loud silence: it hasn’t happened—yet. AI is not an immaterial vapor hovering above the economy. The models that will power future change run on a foundation of physical inputs: cables, turbines, chips, and copper. These are bought and sold all over the world. This is why the one area AI is having a measurable effect on trade, write Olivia White and Tiago Devesa.

Source

Originally published at www.mckinsey.com.

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