Belgium ranks among top 5 in Europe for AI use by businesses

09/06/2026

More than a third of Belgian businesses are using artificial intelligence, putting Belgium among the leading countries in Europe. Private individuals are also quickly adopting AI tools, according to the latest Belgian Digital Economy Overview.

In 2025, 34.54 per cent of Belgian companies used at least one AI technology, compared to 24.71 per cent in 2024. Belgium comfortably exceeds the European average, which stands at 19.95 per cent, and, according to the ministry of Economy, now ranks among the top 5 in Europe for AI use by businesses.

The most common applications relate to text analysis, the production of written or spoken content, machine learning and the automation of workflows. AI is mainly used for organising administrative and management processes, accounting and finance, and marketing and sales.

However, AI usage appears to vary significantly depending on the size of the companies. Among large enterprises, over 76 per cent already use these technologies, compared to just over 28 per cent of small businesses.

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Among private individuals, 33.53 per cent of Belgians used generative AI tools for private purposes last year. This is also significantly higher than the European average of 25.09 per cent.

“Belgians are particularly digitally active,” minister for Digitalisation Vanessa Matz said. “We must now further strengthen this momentum with an ambitious and coherent strategy, so that Belgium is not only a country that uses AI, but also a country that understands and masters AI and contributes to its further development. This requires strengthening expertise within our borders, supporting talent, improving access to European technological capabilities and building a framework of trust.”

Matz, however, also emphasises that the development of AI must take place “within a clear, protective and inclusive framework that guarantees respect for privacy, prevents bias and avoids the digital transition further exacerbating inequalities”.

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