• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
MagazineFortune 500

Fortune 500 CEOs aren’t afraid of A.I.—but an impending recession is another story

Alan Murray
By
Alan Murray
Alan Murray
Down Arrow Button Icon
Alan Murray
By
Alan Murray
Alan Murray
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 2, 2023, 5:15 AM ET

The Fortune 500 CEOs in our annual survey have spent much of the past two years solving labor puzzles—struggling with talent shortages while seeking a balance between remote and in-office work. Inflation and a slowing economy have led to layoffs, and many CEOs see recession as a looming threat to livelihoods. But advances in artificial intelligence are prompting these leaders to think differently about productivity. Many are already using generative A.I. Very few see technological change as a top worry. And three-quarters of CEOs expect that A.I. will result in their needing fewer workers in five years—a shift that will create its own social and managerial challenges.

Recommended Video

Poll conducted May 1–10, 2023

A version of this story appears in the June/July 2023 issue of Fortune with the headline, “CEOs leap into the A.I. unknown.”

Fortune Brainstorm AI returns to San Francisco Dec. 8–9 to convene the smartest people we know—technologists, entrepreneurs, Fortune Global 500 executives, investors, policymakers, and the brilliant minds in between—to explore and interrogate the most pressing questions about AI at another pivotal moment. Register here.
About the Author
Alan Murray
By Alan Murray
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest from the Magazine

AITikTok
China’s ByteDance could be forced to sell TikTok U.S., but its quiet lead in AI will help it survive—and maybe even thrive
By Nicholas GordonDecember 2, 2025
6 hours ago
MagazineDoorDash
How DoorDash became an $85 billion behemoth and won the delivery wars
By Jason Del ReyDecember 1, 2025
2 days ago
MagazineAmazon
Amazon’s layoffs and leaked AI plans beg the question: Is the era of robot-driven unemployment upon us?
By Jason Del ReyNovember 25, 2025
8 days ago
MagazineInvestors Guide
A massive tech update will bring faster, cheaper trading to Wall Street. Get ready for stocks on a blockchain
By Jeff John RobertsNovember 24, 2025
8 days ago
MagazineLuxury
Inside the luxury all-inclusive resorts giving wealthy travelers an escape from decision fatigue
By Adam EraceNovember 21, 2025
12 days ago
MagazineWarren Buffett
The Warren Buffett era is ending. Here are five investing lessons from the GOAT
By Geoff ColvinNovember 21, 2025
12 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
Ford workers told their CEO 'none of the young people want to work here.' So Jim Farley took a page out of the founder's playbook
By Sasha RogelbergNovember 28, 2025
4 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Warren Buffett used to give his family $10,000 each at Christmas—but when he saw how fast they were spending it, he started buying them shares instead
By Eleanor PringleDecember 2, 2025
16 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Elon Musk says he warned Trump against tariffs, which U.S. manufacturers blame for a turn to more offshoring and diminishing American factory jobs
By Sasha RogelbergDecember 2, 2025
10 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Forget the four-day workweek, Elon Musk predicts you won't have to work at all in ‘less than 20 years'
By Jessica CoacciDecember 1, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
MacKenzie Scott's $19 billion donations have turned philanthropy on its head—why her style of giving actually works
By Sydney LakeDecember 2, 2025
16 hours ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of December 1, 2025
By Danny BakstDecember 1, 2025
2 days ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.