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Autonomous AI agents are poised to transform how enterprises operate. Yet, new research suggests that their potential value is still widely underestimated.
According to a Bank of America Global Research analysis released this week, spending on agentic AI could reach $155 billion by 2030—triple the estimates of most industry analysts. This projection highlights the growing belief that agentic AI could fundamentally transform workforce productivity.
Agentic AI could be the “defining catalyst for AI monetization,” as agents can measurably boost workforce productivity, BofA analysts wrote in a research note to clients on Tuesday.
The analysts developed a framework to estimate how much of the total value of human work (measured by salaries and wages) could shift to AI agents. They started by calculating that global knowledge worker wages across seven major fields—sales, marketing, customer support, finance, human resources, IT, and operations—total $18.6 trillion annually. By 2030, they project AI agents could handle 10% of these workflows, unlocking $1.9 trillion in value. If software vendors capture 8% of this, agentic AI spending could reach $155 billion, according to the findings.
Despite rapid adoption — McKinsey reports 78% of companies use generative AI — more than 80% see no material earnings impact. Why? Productivity gains from tools like chatbots are hard to measure thus far. And most advanced use cases are still in pilot phases.
BofA analysts believe this could change as agentic AI matures. Unlike simple chatbots, agents can automate complex, multi-step processes, acting as proactive collaborators rather than reactive tools.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently discussed the future of AI agents. In an email to employees on June 17, Jassy wrote: “We have strong conviction that AI agents will change how we all work and live.”
“There will be billions of these agents, across every company and in every imaginable field,” Jassy added. “Many of these agents have yet to be built but, make no mistake, they’re coming, and coming fast.” He also made a point that the company’s total corporate workforce would likely reduce as a result of efficiency gains from using AI extensively.
During Fortune’s recent Emerging CFO event, held in partnership with Workday, Jamie Miller, chief financial and operating officer at PayPal called AI agents a “game changer.” PayPal is targeting use cases involving high-volume manual work, such as invoice processing and accruals, Miller said. Agents can harmonize data from multiple formats and automate tasks like travel and expense compliance by auditing receipts and making recommendations. “As CFOs, we’re responsible for financial statements and compliance, so it’s critical to have the right checks, balances, and oversight,” Miller said.
Written by Sheryl Estrada for Fortune as “Agentic AI spending could reach $155 billion by 2030, say BofA analysts” and republished with permission.
