EU companies drive demand for AI‑savvy workers as generative AI expands

In 2025, 20 % of European Union firms with at least ten employees were using some form of artificial intelligence, up from 13.5 % a year earlier. The rapid spread of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has created a skills gap: many professionals can operate the tools for simple tasks, but few understand how to integrate them strategically across business functions.

Companies now need workers who can apply AI in marketing, human resources, operations, sales, customer service, data analysis and management, while also assessing risks, supervising outcomes and recognizing where human judgment remains essential. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report warns that roughly 40 % of the skills required for jobs could change before 2030, underscoring the urgency of upskilling the workforce.

The trend signals a shift from hiring specialists who build complex models to recruiting broader talent capable of embedding AI responsibly throughout organizations.