This is according to new research published by the European Central Bank (ECB) on Wednesday (24 June), which finds that while 70% of companies surveyed are users of artificial intelligence (AI), very few companies in the euro area have implemented it “intensively”, meaning they use it infrequently or more than moderately.
“Almost half of companies that were not using AI in 2025 plan to invest in AI in 2026,” the ECB said in a blog post. “At the same time, most companies report infrequent or moderate use of AI, with only 7% of euro area companies reporting intensive use.”
The study also found that while the likelihood of AI adoption increases with company size, intensive use is more common among younger and smaller companies.
The ECB said there were also differences depending on the type of business, with intensive use being particularly common in services, especially those that are “high-tech and knowledge-intensive” such as the information and communications sector.
“These sectors include developers and providers of AI tools, which tend to be highly digital,” the blog post added. “We also have access to rich data and computing infrastructure and employ workers with strong technical skills.”
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The study also found that more than 84% of companies reporting intensive use of AI have invested in the technology, compared to 34% of moderate users. Almost all intensive users (99%) plan to invest in AI this year, with approximately 20% of total investments going to AI-related activities.
“This shows that investments beyond the purchase of licenses for common AI tools typically require larger amounts of capital,” the ECB wrote. “In fact, integrating AI into core processes, such as developing customized solutions or upgrading digital infrastructure, often requires larger and longer-term restructuring.”
Meanwhile, as we covered here last month, a study by PYMNTS Intelligence found that “there is no single strategy for integrating AI into the workforce.”
Companies are adjusting their approach to AI depending on how value is created in their industry. Some are spending to hire workers with AI expertise. Some companies are reconfiguring their workflows to combine human and machine capabilities, and many are doing both. The study also noted a growing consensus on the long-term impact of AI.
“AI is expected to reshape jobs, not just eliminate them,” PYMNTS writes. “Half of CFOs say they believe new roles will emerge that require different skills, suggesting that employees will become more specialized over time. Expectations hinge on the reallocation of work to higher-value tasks.”
