The Real Economy

The Real Economy: September 2023

Artificial intelligence and the coming revolution in the American economy

The global economy is on the verge of a technological revolution as companies and organizations embrace generative artificial intelligence. We think this technology, which is still in its infancy, will change the world the way the Renaissance did 400 years ago.

To better understand what is happening, this month's issue of The Real Economy explores the impact of artificial intelligence on middle market businesses and the economy. RSM’s chief economist, Joseph Brusuelas, starts with a look at the three pillars of artificial intelligence: machine learning, generative AI and artificial general intelligence. RSM’s U.S. economist, Tuan Nguyen, then examines its profound impact on productivity.

But how can middle market companies create and capture value from AI? RSM’s Seth Bacon provides some guidelines. 

We think artificial intelligence will change the world the way the Renaissance did 400 years ago. Gaining a better understanding of how this will happen is a worthwhile endeavor.
Joe Brusuelas, Chief Economist

Also in this issue, Brusuelas looks at what is behind the boom in manufacturing construction. Finally, RSM’s Mike Graziano examines the cooled M&A activity in the consumer products sector—a reflection, he writes, of elevated interest rates and a reset in valuations.

We look at these issues and more in the September issue of The Real Economy.

Inside the September issue

RSM contributors

Livestream event

Financial conditions and the cost of doing business inside the real economy

Join RSM Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley as they discuss economic factors that point to a soft landing, including growth, materials pricing, labor outlook and other issues affecting middle market businesses.

Monday, Sept. 25, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. EDT

Subscribe to The Real Economy

Timely economic analysis and trends to help middle market businesses succeed

Digital transformation and the middle market

According to data from the RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey:

Subscribe to receive the full report this September

Companies are investing more

IT talent remains hard to find

Big companies are taking the lead

Cybersecurity is a main driver

Also from The Real Economy

Monthly economic analysis report for the US middle market

The Real Economy Blog

The Real Economy Blog was developed to provide timely economic insights about the middle market economy. It is offered as a complement to RSM’s macroeconomic thought leadership, including The Real Economy monthly publication and the proprietary RSM US Middle Market Business Index (MMBI).

The voice of the middle market

Middle market organizations, which make up the “real economy,” are too big to be small and too small to be big. They have distinct challenges and opportunities around resources, labor, technology, innovation, regulation and more.