HSBC global economist James Pomeroy says the free nature of personal AI tools is
creating a substantial consumer surplus by saving users time and money. HSBC
estimates US AI-generated consumer surplus will be about US$172 bln in early
2026, up from roughly US$116 bln six months earlier, and could reach US$250 bln
in 2027 — about 0.8% of US GDP or 1.5% of US consumer spending.