In 2025, just 15% of Europeans aged 16-74 used generative AI at work-but adoption varies dramatically by country.
Norway tops the list at 35.4%, followed closely by Switzerland (34.4%), Malta (29.6%), Denmark (27.2%), and the Netherlands (26.6%). In contrast, Hungary reports only 1.3% workplace usage, with Romania, Serbia, and Italy all below 10%.
The pattern is geographic: Northern and Western Europe lead; Southern Europe is mixed; Eastern and Southeastern regions lag. Among major EU economies, France leads at 18.4%, Spain at 17.9%, Germany slightly above average at 15.8%, and Italy far behind at 8%.
Overall AI use in the EU stands at 32.7%-more than double workplace use-indicating most users don’t apply it professionally. In Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands, however, most AI users do integrate it into their jobs.
Experts attribute the gap to two factors: capability and permission. Capability includes digital skills, knowledge-intensive job markets, and robust infrastructure. Permission hinges on organizational culture, clear guidelines, and employer-provided tools.
Economist Nils Adriansson of the OECD notes generative AI use surged 68% between 2024 and 2025 in surveyed EU countries, driven largely by large firms with resources to deploy new tech.
Professor Valerio De Stefano adds that national economic structures matter: countries with more ICT, media, R&D, and knowledge work see higher adoption. Many workers may also unknowingly rely on AI embedded in everyday software.
With AI agents spreading rapidly since the 2025 survey, workplace adoption is expected to climb further.