ECB finds intense AI use remains rare among euro zone firms

A European Central Bank survey of more than 5,000 companies across the bloc found that over 70 per cent report using AI, with much of the remainder planning to start this year. Yet most usage remains moderate or infrequent, and only 7 per cent use AI intensely, limiting the near-term potential for broad macroeconomic efficiency gains.

Intensive adoption is concentrated among smaller and younger companies, while larger firms are clearly lagging. High-tech and knowledge-intensive service businesses are also more likely to use AI deeply, suggesting that diffusion across the wider corporate sector still has considerable room to grow.

Companies in the early stages of adoption often cite cost reductions and operational efficiency as their main motivations. More intensive users are more commonly driven by growth and innovation, and they tend to invest heavily in customised solutions that go beyond standard software licences. Firms also appear more likely to invest when competitors do, reflecting pressure to keep pace.