AI adoption among EU businesses and citizens: Eurostat 2026 data
The Eurostat report The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies in the European Union – Key Results, 2026 Edition provides an updated picture of AI adoption in the EU, based on evidence collected through harmonised surveys conducted among businesses and individuals. The adoption of AI among European businesses with at least 10 employees has grown rapidly, from 8.1% in 2023 to 20% in 2025, although uptake remains limited, particularly among smaller firms. Geographically, Denmark (42%), Finland (37.8%) and Sweden (35%) lead the ranking, while Italy remains below the European average, with 16.4% of businesses adopting AI technologies. For the first time, the report also includes data on individual use of generative AI: across the EU, 32.7% say they have used generative AI tools in the previous three months, while in Italy this share falls to 19.9%. Among the main barriers to adoption for businesses, the lack of specific skills remains the most frequently cited factor (70.3%), followed by uncertainty over legal consequences and concerns about data protection.
Author: Eurostat
Publisher: Eurostat
Publication date: March 2026