Generative AI Becomes Part of Everyday Life
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of daily life across Europe. According to new Eurostat data, 32.7% of people aged 16 to 74 in the EU used generative AI tools in 2025. Most people used these tools for personal purposes, while a growing share also used them for work and for formal education.
AI Use Extends Beyond the Tech Sector
The figures reflect a wider digital shift that is already reshaping the way Europeans access information, learn new skills, communicate, and carry out professional tasks. Eurostat reports that 25.1% of people used generative AI for personal purposes, 15.1% for work, and 9.4% for formal education. This shows that AI is no longer limited to the tech sector. It is increasingly present in everyday social, educational, and economic life.
Uneven Adoption Across the European Union
At country level, the highest rates of generative AI use were recorded in Denmark, Estonia, and Malta. At the same time, Eurostat found much lower levels of use in Romania, Italy, and Bulgaria, pointing to uneven uptake across the European Union. These differences underline an important policy challenge: innovation alone is not enough if access, skills, and confidence remain unequal between countries and communities.
What This Means for Local Development
For local development actors, this trend carries important implications. As AI tools become more common, communities will increasingly need support not only in digital access, but also in digital literacy, responsible use, and practical application. Schools, civil society organisations, local authorities, and training providers all have a role to play in helping people understand how these tools work, how to use them critically, and how to benefit from them safely and effectively.
A People-Centred Digital Transition
This is especially relevant for organisations working at the local and regional level. Digital transformation is strongest when it is people-centred. That means ensuring that new technologies do not widen existing inequalities, but instead support participation, inclusion, employability, and lifelong learning. For rural areas, smaller organisations, and vulnerable groups, targeted support in digital skills and access will be essential if Europe wants the benefits of AI to be shared more broadly.
Why This Matters for EILD
For EILD, the rise of generative AI highlights the growing importance of innovation that is inclusive, practical, and community-based. Europe’s digital future should not be shaped only by rapid adoption, but by the ability of people and institutions to use new tools in meaningful ways that strengthen local resilience and social cohesion.
Ensuring AI Works for Everyone
As AI continues to develop, the key question is no longer whether Europe will adopt these technologies. The real question is whether Europe can ensure that this transformation works for everyone.