Microsoft Report Shows Global AI Adoption Reaches 18.8%, South Korea Sees Fastest Growth

Microsoft released its latest Global AI Adoption Report. The data shows that the share of AI users among the global working-age population reached 18.8% in the second quarter, up about 1% from the previous quarter, with AI usage rising in almost all economies.

The UAE leads with a 70.1% adoption rate, followed by Singapore at 64.3%, while Ireland, France, and Norway are all approaching 50%. South Korea saw the fastest percentage growth, rising from 37.1% to 40.6%. Saudi Arabia climbed from 30th to 25th in the rankings. Japan had the largest relative increase, going from 22.5% to 24.7%.

The report also noted that the average AI adoption rate among the working-age population in the Global North reached 28.8%, compared with only 16.2% in the Global South, widening the North-South gap. The United States had a rate of 33.0%, holding at 21st place.