The growing integration of AI into daily life has sparked both excitement and concern. From enhancing productivity to shaping consumer decisions, AI’s influence continues to grow. Nearly 40% of global jobs are now exposed to AI, with advanced economies at higher risk, according to the IMF, while 20% of American workers are in high-AI-exposure roles. Tools like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini are battling for LLM dominance, and threaten to cannibalize traditional search. Meanwhile, consumers are increasingly relying on AI to make decisions on everything from restaurants to entertainment. As competition heats up, ChatGPT has managed to maintain its leadership position, while new entrants like Apple Intelligence are carving out their own niches with alternative approaches. With insights from occam, this blog explores the continuing evolution and adoption of LLMs and their impact on consumer behavior.

As the 2024 presidential election nears, we expect the role of Independents as swing voters will once again come into focus. These voters, caught between the polarized views of the two major parties, often decide elections, and their shifting views on economic and social issues will likely be central to the outcome.  Inflation, jobs, and immigration are clear priorities for the general voting population, a reflection of continuing economic and social anxieties.  However, occam shows large differences when voter priorities are viewed by party affiliation and that shows Independents don’t simply “split the difference.”  On issues related to the economy, Independents look more like Republicans, whereas on social issues, Independents look more like Democrats.  For complementary insights, visit hingevoter.ai, which monitors the evolution of opinions held by swing voters who live in swing states.

As Americans debate the complex issues around weight management and body image, the landscape of anti-obesity medications is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Prescription volume for GLP-1 agonist drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy reflect a staggering 300% surge in prescriptions from 2020 to 2022. Despite facing criticism from advocates of the body-positivity movement and those cautioning against easy fixes to obesity, the demand for these medications has in particular significantly boosted market leader Novo Nordisk – so much so that the company has single-handedly begun to impact Denmark’s national economic statistics.  The surge has also triggered a wave of new, potentially more effective treatments like Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide-based Mounjaro and Zepbound. Below, we delve into this remarkable trend, shedding light on the expanding public consciousness, the subtle demographic patterns around consumption, and the waning apprehensions concerning potential side effects.

With the headline unemployment rate reaching lows not seen in decades, and the labor force participation rate rising to pre-pandemic levels, by outward appearances, the American job market is robust and stable. However, a closer look using occam data reveals some underlying vulnerabilities that are beginning to surface.  Below, with insights and analysis from occam, we dissect the nuances of the present labor market and what may lie ahead for the American workforce over the coming months.

Consumer debt has continued on a steep ascent, breaching $17 trillion for the first time in Q1. We also note a concerning but thus far modest upturn in delinquencies in certain credit categories. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York documents these trends but only issues updates on a quarterly basis, which is arguably too slow to be very useful; occam in contrast monitors various aspects of consumer credit on a daily basis, which allows portfolio managers an ability to track the financial health of the consumer in real time. Below, we examine trends in delinquency rates, explore the impact of the rising cost of living on consumer spending habits, and identify the demographic groups most impacted by the increasingly challenging economic conditions