Don't underestimate AI's role in trucking's recovery

It is difficult to overstate the importance of the artificial intelligence investment boom on the U.S. economy, and trucking by extension. Data centers and all they require—new infrastructure, construction, manufacturing and electrical equipment—have had a profound effect on the nation’s GDP in recent years. Year-to-date, that GDP number stands at roughly 2.4%.

Without the AI investment, the GDP picture would be sobering. “If you take all of that [AI investment], add it up and take it out of the GDP numbers, you're left with 0.6% growth,” said Bob Costello, American Trucking Association’s chief economist at the 2026 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, N.C.

Countering AI’s economic benefits are a host of barriers to growth. Inflation, rising interest rates and national debt, tariffs and war-related energy price increases remain major GDP headwinds well into 2026.

“If I knew nothing but those things, I’d probably say whatever economy you’re describing is in a recession,” he said, "but the balance to it is massive, and that is AI investment.”

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