According to a new survey cited by OECD and reported recently, young adults (roughly aged 18–35) in many emerging economies are adopting generative AI (GenAI) tools at far higher rates than their European peers. In countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa, a large majority report regular AI usage, whereas in several European nations — including Germany, France, and Italy — the proportion is substantially lower.
The gap isn’t just in usage: the survey suggests that European respondents are less likely to feel AI will significantly impact their jobs or daily life. Many also report little or no AI‑skill training from employers, compared with emerging‑economy peers where demand for AI literacy and training is sharply growing.
This divide reflects broader issues: slower digital transformation in many European businesses, under‑investment in AI infrastructure, and lagging readiness compared to fast‑moving countries elsewhere. A recent analysis found that among firms in many European countries, only a small share have the robust data systems, compute capacity, or organizational readiness needed to effectively leverage AI.
The result: despite Europe’s technical and regulatory sophistication — and in some places, leading AI‑research capabilities — large parts of the continent may miss out on the productivity, innovation, and economic gains that rapid AI adoption elsewhere may bring. The findings highlight a growing “AI‑adoption divide,” one that could reshape global competitiveness over the next decade.
