Measuring the Digital Economy in the U.S. and Alaska

This report examines the impact of the digital economy on the U.S. GDP and job market, focusing on both national and Alaskan data. It is led by Harvard Business School Professor Emeritus John Deighton and presents findings from the 2025 edition of IAB's quadrennial study. The report states that the digital economy contributes $4.9 trillion to the U.S. economy, accounting for 18% of the GDP and supporting approximately 28.4 million jobs. It highlights that 70% of recent job growth is attributed to independent creators, e-commerce entrepreneurs, platform workers, and large integrated tech companies. The document also details the growth of internet-dependent jobs in Alaska, which increased from 200,000 in 2020 to an estimated 1.5 million in 2024. This growth represents a significant increase in the digital economy's contribution to job creation and economic value, underscoring the internet's role in driving economic growth in both the U.S. and Alaska.