The Impact of Artificial Intelligence Industry Development on Service Exports: A Systematic Review Approach

Abstract

With the rapid development of the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important factor influencing international service trade. As the growth of traditional merchandise trade slows, digitally deliverable services have continued to expand, supported by the increasing role of data and AI technologies. Using a systematic literature review approach and drawing on recent macro-level trade statistics and micro-level empirical studies, this paper examines the mechanisms through which AI affects the scale and structure of service exports and reviews the related empirical evidence. Recent data show that digitally deliverable services account for more than half of global service trade. Existing studies suggest that AI can improve the technological sophistication of knowledge-intensive service exports by lowering cross-border search costs, increasing total factor productivity, and enhancing service tradability. In this sense, AI contributes not only to the expansion of service trade but also to its movement toward higher value-added activities. The findings of this study help explain recent developments in digital trade and provide policy implications for narrowing the global digital divide, particularly through improvements in digital infrastructure and increased investment in research and development.