Responses from the most recent Tennessee Business Leaders Survey were provided in August 2026. Similar to the winter survey, 80% of business leaders believe there is less than a 50% chance that the U.S. will fall into a recession in the next year. About half of employers who responded to the summer survey said they are not passing the higher cost of fuel on to customers. Seven in 10 said they are using artificial intelligence in a way that does not affect their employment levels, while just 16% said they are not using AI at all. Most respondents felt the Tennessee economic outlook was better than the U.S., but global political instability is at top of mind.

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