Maryland releases survey of business AI use and workforce plans
State officials say AI tools are common among surveyed businesses, but most reported uses are basic and perceived productivity gains are usually slight.
What the state asked businesses
Maryland’s State Innovation Team released a Business AI Benchmark at Governor Wes Moore’s innovation summit on October 1. The governor’s office says the team surveyed nearly 300 senior decision-makers at Maryland organizations in June and July. According to the state’s summary, 91% of respondents said their organizations use some form of AI, but 58% were still using basic standalone tools or built-in features rather than integrating AI more deeply. Among regular users, 92% reported a positive productivity effect; most described that effect as slight, not significant.
The state also asked about workforce plans. Its announcement says 64% of businesses expected existing employees to do more with AI, while 4% expected AI to reduce headcount. These are respondents’ expectations and self-reported experiences, not verified hiring outcomes or a representative forecast for all Maryland employers. The administration says it will use the benchmark to shape support and policy discussions. Releasing a survey and holding a summit do not themselves create a new AI regulation, and the figures should be read within the survey’s stated sample rather than as universal adoption rates.