There is ever-growing use of Artificial Intelligence in European companies, with 42 per cent of Europe’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies already using AI and AM.
The results of the latest Eurobarometer survey, published today, show that European businesses rely increasingly on artificial intelligence (AI), though most of them in as yet a limited and experimental way.
The publication coincides with the European AI Innovation Month that brings together policy-makers, industry, public sector, and research to discuss and showcase how AI is being developed and applied across EU industry sectors.
Algorithmic management (AM) or automated systems refer to digital systems that help managers organise the workforce and/or support their decisions about tasks, schedules, performance or staffing. These systems can be powered by AI and include both tools that automate decision-making and tools that make recommendations, while the final decision is taken by people.
The survey shows that, while 42% of SMEs and mid-cap companies use AI and AM, an additional 21% plan to do so in the future. Besides their use in customer service and client relations (47%), AI and AM are also being used by 36% of the interviewed enterprises for monitoring performance and productivity. Logistics, planning and staff scheduling (30%) are also common uses. Furthermore, a clear majority of these European companies (61%) say that the use of AI helps them to take decisions. 75% of surveyed companies believe that AI and AM will improve job quality. Most companies (90%) say that people take the decisions, while only 2% of decisions are fully automated.
High investment costs (50%), legal uncertainty (49%), and lack of expertise (48%) remain key barriers to wider uptake, according to the survey. Almost half (49%) of companies do not trust artificial intelligence or automated systems for decisions related to workforce or staff matters. Some of these obstacles are addressed by existing EU rules. They include the General Data Protection Regulation and the AI Act, which ensure safety, fundamental rights and human-centric AI, while supporting uptake, investment and innovation in AI across the EU.
The upcoming Quality Jobs Act will increase clarity for companies and better protect workers’ rights in relation to algorithmic management. In the second-stage consultation for the Quality Jobs Act, EU social partners expressed their views on EU action needed in this field.
Eurobarometer is the polling instrument used by the European Commission, the European Parliament and other EU institutions and agencies to monitor regularly the state of public opinion in Europe on issues related to the European Union as well as attitudes on subjects of political or social nature. It provides quality and relevant data for experts in public opinion, researchers, media and the public.
Flash Eurobarometer on AI and algorithmic management in European SMEs and mid-caps
