AI use by firms keeps rising, unevenly
OECD data show growth while size, sector and readiness continue to divide firms.
The signal
OECD figures published in January 2026 report that 20.2% of firms used AI in 2025, up from 14.2% in 2024 and 8.7% in 2023 across the covered data. Aggregate growth does not mean equal adoption.
What the headline misses
Survey rates do not reveal depth, quality or who receives the gain. Watch recurring use, measured outcomes and whether smaller, less digitised firms can build lasting capability.
Adoption matters when it becomes durable capability.
Sources and review
Fact-checked against the cited primary sources on 1 October 2026.
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