Ray Dalio: The U.S. Economy is Dependent on Artificial Intelligence!

Ray Dalio, the founder of Bridgewater Associates, has a pessimistic view of the United States economy. Despite the rapidly rising stock market and increasing gross domestic product (GDP), Dalio points out that this optimistic outlook conceals future economic challenges.

Dalio emphasized that the heavy reliance of the economy on the top 1% of the labor force is a serious problem. He also noted that the stock market and economy, closely linked to artificial intelligence (AI), are fraught with challenges for workers in many sectors. Speaking at the Fortune Global Forum, he said, "You cannot look at the U.S. as a whole today."

At the same time, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is planning to lay off over 14,000 corporate employees, illustrating the impact of AI in the workforce. This represents about 10% of the company's corporate employees. Companies are constantly looking for new ways to increase revenue and profit margins, and AI is seen as a tool to achieve these goals.

The retail sector has long been using self-checkout systems to reduce cashier dependency. Artificial intelligence is not only affecting the retail workforce; the British Film Institute published a report stating that AI threatens the economic foundation of the UK's screen sector. This development also poses a concerning challenge for Hollywood.

The underlying reasons for Dalio's concerns relate to the impact of AI on GDP. The spending on AI by the large technology companies is noted to have contributed 1.1% to GDP growth in the first half of 2025. AI contributed more to GDP growth during this period than spending by American consumers.

Conversely, the potential for AI to become an engine of economic growth may lead to greater inequality between AI workers and others. Dalio noted that 60% of workers are inefficient, and this percentage could rise with the increase in the AI workforce. If jobs are replaced by AI, consumers are likely to have less money to spend.

It is important to note that the economy has not yet reached this stage; however, as the impact of AI on the workforce continues, it is crucial to consider consumption patterns.