The European Investment Bank Reveals Usage of AI, Big Data, and IoT in EU and US Companies
Recent findings from the European Investment Bank highlight how companies across the European Union are embracing advanced digital tools like artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things. Based on responses from around thirteen thousand firms in the EU plus a comparable sample from the United States, the data shows that EU businesses have largely caught up with their American counterparts in overall adoption. Seventy-seven percent of EU companies now use at least one advanced digital technology, sitting very close to the seventy-eight percent figure in the US. This narrowing gap demonstrates Europe’s steady progress in integrating these innovations into everyday operations.
Generative AI stands out as a particularly even race between the two regions. About thirty-seven percent of EU firms report using generative AI, compared to thirty-six percent in the US. Larger companies tend to lead the way in both places, while adoption varies significantly by country within the EU. Nations such as Finland, Denmark, and the Netherlands show the highest rates of generative AI implementation. In contrast, Italy and Greece trail behind with lower uptake across these technologies.
European manufacturing emerges as a real strength in this landscape. Forty-eight percent of EU manufacturers incorporate big data and AI into their processes, far surpassing the twenty-eight percent seen among US manufacturers. Automation through robotics also sees higher engagement in Europe, with fifty-five percent of manufacturers relying on it versus thirty-six percent in the US. These numbers point to a robust focus on production efficiency and smart systems in European factories, where technologies help streamline workflows and boost output.
The picture shifts when looking at other sectors and specific tools. US service companies lead in Internet of Things adoption at sixty-four percent, while EU services sit at forty-five percent. Infrastructure firms follow a similar pattern, with sixty-six percent IoT usage in the US compared to fifty percent in the EU. The Internet of Things connects everyday devices, sensors, machines, and vehicles to collect and exchange data seamlessly, often without human input. Despite solid overall adoption rates, EU companies tend to apply AI more narrowly, mainly in internal operations, marketing, and sales.
Integration depth reveals one of the clearest differences. Eighty-one percent of US firms that use AI apply it across at least two business processes, whereas only fifty-five percent of EU adopters do the same. American companies extend AI into areas like customer service and human resources more frequently. EU firms show great potential in initial uptake but could gain more by spreading these tools wider across their organizations. This broader application often unlocks greater efficiency gains and competitive edges.
The European Investment Bank stresses that while raw adoption numbers are encouraging, deeper integration remains key to maximizing benefits. Manufacturing’s lead in Europe offers a model for other sectors, and continued investment could help close any remaining gaps. Overall, the survey paints an optimistic view of digital transformation on both sides of the Atlantic, with Europe holding its own remarkably well.
What are your experiences with AI, big data, or IoT adoption in your company or industry—share your thoughts in the comments.
