Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming one of the key instruments of European business. According to Eurostat, in 2024, 13.5% of EU enterprises with 10 or more employees used AI technologies in their operations. This is a substantial increase compared to 8.0% in 2023 — a rise of +5.5 percentage points in just one year.
The increase in AI adoption is driven by growing digital maturity, the development of accessible automation tools, and the pursuit of competitive advantages in the European market.
Which countries are adopting AI the fastest?
The 2024 leaders in AI usage among enterprises were:
- Denmark — 27.6%
- Sweden — 25.1%
- Belgium — 24.7%
These countries demonstrate not only a high baseline of digitalization, but also significant year-on-year growth. Sweden stands out in particular, with an increase of +14.7 p.p., the largest jump in the EU.
At the lower end of the ranking are:
- Romania — 3.1%
- Poland — 5.9%
- Bulgaria — 6.5%
Latvia deserves a special mention: its progress has been especially noticeable — the share of AI-using enterprises nearly doubled, from ≈ 4.53% in 2023 to ≈ 8.83% in 2024. This positions Latvia among the fastest-growing countries in AI adoption, particularly within the group that started from lower baseline levels.
Which AI technologies do European companies use?
AI tools are being implemented not merely for automation, but also to enhance efficiency in data analysis, information processing, and customer engagement. The most popular AI categories in 2024 were:
- Written text analysis (text mining) — 6.9% of enterprises (+4.0 p.p.)
- Written or spoken text generation (natural language generation) — 5.4% (+3.3 p.p.)
- Speech recognition — 4.8% (+2.2 p.p.)
The use of machine learning for data analytics, workflow automation systems, and image-based object recognition is also expanding rapidly.
Why are European companies increasing AI usage?
- Higher efficiency — automation reduces costs and optimizes internal processes.
- Improved customer interaction — chat-bots, AI assistants, and smart algorithms redefine service standards.
- Competitive advantage — AI accelerates reaction times to market change.
- Growing accessibility — AI tools are becoming easier to adopt, even for smaller enterprises.
What does this mean for business and the labor market?
The rapid adoption of AI clearly signals that European business is ready for a fundamental digital transformation. Companies are becoming more data-driven, flexible, and responsive. This also drives demand for AI specialists — from analysts to engineers and digital solutions managers.
How can HR Line EU help?
If you need support in understanding AI adoption trends in the EU, selecting suitable tools, or evaluating your company’s readiness for digital transformation, the HR Line EU team will guide you through every step — from needs analysis to technology implementation.
