As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in the workplace, new research from Lee & Associates – Atlanta examines what the technology could mean for employment, productivity and the future of commercial real estate.

The report, “AI, Employment and the Changing Shape of Atlanta’s Office Market,” finds that the share of employed adults using generative AI for work increased from 33.3% in the third quarter of 2024 to 45.2% in the second quarter of 2026. During that same period, unemployment remained relatively stable and stood at 4.1% in August 2026.

While the data is still developing, early evidence does not point to a broad
employment collapse resulting from AI adoption. Instead, it suggests that businesses are incorporating AI while continuing to hire, operate and occupy office space.

“Everyone is either using AI in the workplace or should be thinking about how it can create efficiencies for their team,” said Kate Hunt, Research Director at Lee & Associates – Atlanta. “I know we are using it at Lee Atlanta as a tool to help us work smarter, organize information and improve the quality of our research. AI should support people and teams, not replace the judgment, relationships and market knowledge that drive our business.”

The report also considers the potential implications for Atlanta’s office market. Since January 2025, office tenants have leased approximately 12 million square feet in transactions of 10,000 square feet or more. New leases accounted for approximately 65% of that activity, suggesting that companies continue to make meaningful decisions about their workplaces even as questions surrounding AI and employment evolve.

“It will be interesting to watch how AI ultimately affects the commercial real estate office market and whether it meaningfully changes job counts, space requirements or workplace strategy,” Hunt said. “We are still in the early stages, and the numbers are not yet telling a story of AI taking jobs at a broad scale. For now, the clearest takeaway is that AI is becoming another tool businesses are learning to use.”

Atlanta’s overall office vacancy rate stood at 24.7% in the second quarter of 2026. The market continues to reflect a combination of elevated availability, selective leasing activity and a growing preference for high-quality, amenity-rich buildings.