AI and Automation · Trend

More businesses are using AI: start with a small trial

EU and Singapore data show more businesses using AI. A useful first step is to measure its value in one task.

Content updated: 02/11/2026

What is changing?

The share of businesses using AI is growing. Using a tool does not mean every workflow has changed or productivity has improved.

How do we know?

Eurostat reports that AI use among EU businesses with at least 10 employees rose from 13.5% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. IMDA’s 2026 report shows Singapore SME adoption rising from 14.5% to 23.4% over the same years. These independent measures point in the same direction; their different coverage prevents direct country comparisons.

Who is affected, and how?

Teams preparing reports, drafting text or sorting customer questions have new opportunities to experiment. Their role may include checking whether outputs are accurate and useful.

What can I do?

Choose one repetitive task. Record the time it takes and its errors. Run a small pilot using tools and data your organisation permits. Include checking and correction time. If it does not help, do not scale it up.

Where should I be careful?

These are not worldwide or Turkish averages. Adoption does not prove frequent use or productivity gains. Do not share confidential information without permission. These figures alone do not justify buying tools or changing staffing.

Evidence and limitations (2)

Eurostat — AI use in enterprises ↗

AI use rose from 13.5% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. This measures adoption, not productivity impact.

European Union · Business sectors covered by the survey; not the entire economy · Enterprises with at least 10 employees. The short release does not state the sample size.

Annual EU aggregate of national surveys of ICT use in enterprises. Period fields represent data years, not fieldwork dates. Checked on 25 October 2026: Eurostat publication KS-01-26-009-EN-N retains the 20% figure for 2025.

Source published: 2025-12-11 · Data period: 2024-01-01 — 2025-12-31 · Observed finding

IMDA — Singapore Digital Economy Report 2026 (PDF copy, p.11) ↗

SME AI adoption: 4.2% in 2023, 14.5% in 2024 and 23.4% in 2025. This Singapore series is independent of Eurostat. Adoption does not guarantee productivity or revenue gains.

Singapore · SMEs across business sectors · Singapore SMEs; the relevant report section does not state the sample size. This is not the same population as EU enterprises with 10+ employees.

IMDA report, page 11, Figure 8: annual comparison for 2023–2025. Publisher: IMDA; copy hosted by MySecurity Marketplace. Text and chart checked on 25 October 2026. Official report directory: https://www.imda.gov.sg/about-imda/research-and-statistics/singapore-digital-economy-report . Period fields are data years.

Source published: 2026-10-05 · Data period: 2023-01-01 — 2025-12-31 · Observed finding

Uncertainties: Sources checked on 25 October 2026. The data cover 2023–2025, not 2026 adoption. Eurostat’s 2026 publication retains the 20% EU figure for 2025. A copy of IMDA’s 2026 report hosted by MySecurity Marketplace was read; page 11, Figure 8 was checked in text and visually. Direct access to IMDA still encountered a robot check. This report section does not specify the sample size. Coverage and definitions differ; these rates are neither a country ranking nor proof of productivity.

Türkiye interpretation (inference): Interpretation for Türkiye: These rates do not measure adoption in Türkiye. Testing value in your own work through a small trial is Stramento’s editorial suggestion.

Last evidence check: 02/11/2026