The Jobless Productivity Boom: Identifying Stocks and Sectors Poised to Thrive in Automation-Driven Growth

The U.S. economy is undergoing a seismic shift driven by automation and artificial intelligence (AI), with productivity gains reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. While the "jobless recovery" narrative has long been debated, the current wave of automation is accelerating a "jobless productivity boom," where efficiency gains outpace labor demand in certain sectors. For investors, this presents both opportunities and risks. By analyzing key sectors and companies leading the charge in automation adoption, we can identify stocks best positioned to capitalize on this transformative trend.

Key Sectors Driving the Productivity Boom

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
The healthcare sector is a prime example of automation's dual impact: reducing administrative burdens while expanding service capacity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare and social assistance sector is projected to add 2.3 million jobs between 2023 and 2033, driven by an aging population and rising demand for medical services. However, automation is streamlining back-office operations, from claims processing to medical coding. For instance, Access Healthcare employs robotic process automation (RPA) with over 3,500 virtual bots to optimize revenue cycle management, while SpryPT combines AI and human expertise to resolve claim denials with 98% accuracy. These innovations reduce costs and improve cash flow, making healthcare providers more resilient to financial pressures.

2. Professional Services
Professional services, including consulting, legal, and IT support, are leveraging automation to enhance efficiency. The professional services automation (PSA) software market is valued at $4.26 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $10.37 billion by 2032, driven by demand for cloud-based tools that unify project management, resource planning, and time tracking. Leading players like Autotask Corporation and Deltek, Inc. are enabling firms to optimize workflows and reduce operational overhead. As Deloitte notes, streamlining business processes and modernizing legacy systems are critical for tech leaders navigating global uncertainties.

3. Information Services
The information sector is witnessing a paradigm shift through hyperautomation and AI integration. According to Gartner, by 2026, 30% of enterprises are expected to automate more than half of their network activities, up from under 10% in mid-2023. IBM, for example, reported $4.5 billion in savings by 2025 through AI and automation, leveraging hybrid cloud infrastructure and tools like IBM watsonx to eliminate redundant tasks. Similarly, Optum 360 and Athenahealth are deploying AI-powered platforms to streamline administrative workflows in healthcare, reflecting broader trends in the information sector.

Leading Stocks in Automation-Driven Sectors

Healthcare Automation Leaders
- Access Healthcare (ACCD): Its RPA platform has streamlined revenue cycle management, reducing administrative costs by 20–25% for clients.
- SpryPT (SPRY): The company's AI-driven claims resolution system has cut denial resolution times by 50%, enhancing cash flow efficiency.
- Optum 360 (OPTU): A subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, Optum's AI-powered revenue cycle platform is a key growth driver in a competitive market according to SpryPT.

Professional Services Automation
- Autotask Corporation (ATK): A leader in PSA software, Autotask's cloud-based solutions are critical for IT and managed service providers seeking to optimize resource allocation according to market analysis.
- Deltek, Inc. (DLC): The company's enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools are in high demand as firms adopt automation to reduce tech debt and improve project delivery according to industry reports.

Information Sector Innovators
- IBM (IBM): With $12.7 billion in free cash flow in 2025, IBM's investments in AI and hybrid cloud infrastructure position it as a cornerstone of the productivity boom.
- Athenahealth (ATHN): Its cloud-based platform integrates clinical and financial workflows, using predictive analytics to prevent claim denials and improve financial outcomes according to industry analysis.

Challenges and Considerations

While automation drives productivity, it also raises concerns about job displacement. Goldman Sachs estimates that generative AI could boost U.S. labor productivity by 15% but may temporarily displace workers in fields like marketing consulting and graphic design. Additionally, a growing reliance on AI could lead to consumer caution as job losses rise, potentially slowing economic growth. Investors must balance these risks with the long-term potential of automation-driven efficiency gains.

Conclusion

The jobless productivity boom is redefining the U.S. economy, with healthcare, professional services, and information sectors at the forefront. Companies like Access Healthcare, IBM, and Autotask are not only adapting to this shift but actively shaping it through strategic automation. For investors, the key lies in identifying firms that leverage AI and RPA to enhance operational efficiency while mitigating labor displacement risks. As the productivity gains materialize, these stocks are poised to deliver outsized returns in a rapidly evolving landscape.