The Eurobarometer survey highlights the growing use of AI in European businesses

European companies are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI). This is revealed by the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey, which were published on 14 October.

This publication coincides with European AI Innovation Month, which brings together policymakers, industry, the public sector and the research community to discuss and showcase how AI is being developed and applied across the EU’s various industrial sectors.

Algorithmic management (AM) or automated systems refer to digital systems that help managers organise the workforce and/or support their decisions regarding tasks, timetables, performance or staff. These systems may be powered by AI and include both tools that automate decision-making and tools that make recommendations, although the final decision is taken by people.

According to the survey, 42 per cent of the European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies surveyed already use AI and AM, most of them on a limited and experimental basis. A further 21 per cent plan to do so in the future. In addition to their use in customer service and customer relations (47 per cent), 36 per cent of the companies surveyed also use AI and AM to monitor performance and productivity. Logistics, planning and staff scheduling (30 per cent) are also common uses. Furthermore, a clear majority of these European companies (61 per cent) state that the use of AI helps them make decisions. 75 per cent of the companies surveyed believe that AI and AM will improve the quality of work. The majority of companies (90 per cent) state that decisions are made by people, whilst only 2 per cent of decisions are fully automated.

According to the survey, high investment costs (50 per cent), legal uncertainty (49 per cent) and a lack of expertise (48 per cent) remain key barriers to wider adoption. Almost half (49 per cent) of companies do not trust artificial intelligence or automated systems to make decisions relating to staff or personnel. Some of these challenges are addressed by existing EU legislation, such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the AI Act, which ensure security, fundamental rights and human-centred AI, whilst fostering the adoption, investment and innovation in AI across the EU.

The forthcoming Quality Jobs Act will provide greater clarity for businesses and better protect workers’ rights in relation to algorithmic management. During the second phase of the consultation on the Quality Jobs Act, the EU’s social partners expressed their views on the measures the EU should take in this area.

Background

Eurobarometer is the survey tool used by the European Commission, the European Parliament and other EU institutions and agencies to regularly monitor public opinion in Europe on issues relating to the European Union, as well as attitudes towards political and social matters. It provides relevant, high-quality data for public opinion experts, researchers, the media and the general public.

In February 2025, a survey on artificial intelligencewas carried out . According to this survey, the majority of Europeans believe that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, have a positive impact on their jobs, the economy, society and quality of life. 62 per cent of Europeans welcome the use of robots and AI at work, and 70 per cent believe it improves productivity. Whilst the majority support the use of robots and AI for decision-making at work, 84 per cent of Europeans believe that AI requires careful management to protect privacy and ensure transparency in the workplace.

Theannual Digital Decadereport analyses progress towards the 2030 targets, one of which is for at least 75 per cent of EU businesses to adopt AI, the cloud or big data. Statistics on the use of AI by European businesses are available from Eurostat.

AI is transforming the way we work and how businesses manage their staff. Three out of four businesses surveyed expect it to improve the quality of employment. To turn that optimism into better working conditions, we need to invest in people’s skills, protect workers’ rights and ensure human oversight of decisions that affect them. With the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act, we want to provide businesses with clearer rules and give workers the confidence that AI will make their work safer, fairer and more rewarding. – Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Readiness.

More information: European Commission