From predictions to practice: What AI usage data reveals about the future of work Gabriel DemombynesJörg LangbeinMichael Weber February 19, 2026 This page in: English © 2026 The World Bank Group,

https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/investinpeople/from-predictions-to-practice--what-ai-usage-data-reveals-about-t Until recently, researchers studying AI's labor market effects had to work with a fundamental limitation: Without actual usage data, we had to rely on theoretical measures of "exposure"— estimates of how susceptible different occupations might be to AI disruption. We discussed those studies in our earlier work on AI exposure in low- and middle-income countries. But a crucial question remained unanswered: Do the exposure predictions for these jobs match how people are using AI in practice? © 2026 The World Bank Group,