EY Italy AI Barometer

34% more SMEs adopting artificial intelligence solutions

Italy leads Europe in investment in advanced training

by Giovanna Mancini

5 August 2025

3' min read

Key points

Cross-industry use
Italy leads in investment in training
Will AI 'steal' our jobs?

3' min read

The digital transformation of Italian companies continues, in which artificial intelligence (AI) solutions are beginning to play an increasingly important role. This is demonstrated by data from the latest EY Italy AI Barometer (carried out by EY involving over 4,900 companies from nine European countries, including 539 professionals from Italian companies in various sectors), according to which l the use of AI at work in Italy has risen from 12% in 2024 to 46% in 2025.

'Businesses seem to have realised that AI is a tool not only to perform tasks faster and more efficiently, but also to produce analyses that allow me to improve the effectiveness of my actions towards customers or citizens, in the case of public organisations,' explains Giuseppe Santonato, AI leader at EY Europe West.

Cross-sectoral use

Not only that: if until a few years ago the adoption of AI was limited to specialised niches or to large companies with strong investment capabilities, today artificial intelligence "is entering transversally into organisations of all sizes and sectors, becoming an integral part of operational processes, customer interactions and decision-support activities", the research states. The result is that, by 2024, 77 per cent of Italian workers will have had at least one direct experience with AI tools.

Italy, Santonato points out, although it started late compared to other European countries, is closing the gap, thanks in part to the impetus provided by the introduction of the European AI Act and the subsequent Artificial Intelligence Bill, which, among other things, provides for compulsory training of its employees by companies.

Italy leads in investment in training

This explains, in part, Italy's excellent result in terms of training, with 64% of workers declaring that they invest in acquiring AI skills, either privately (26%) or professionally (22%): this is the highest percentage in Europe, followed by Spain and Germany. However, there is still a rather wide gap in the perception, use and training of AI tools between managers and employees, demonstrating that the adoption of AI in businesses still follows a 'top down' approach whose scope and potential is often not understood by those in executive positions.

"While executives and top management are clear about the benefits brought or expected from AI investments, the more operational part of the workforce has not fully understood its usefulness," Santonato notes. 55 per cent of managers believe AI has actually improved their team's productivity, compared to 33 per cent of employees; 74 per cent of managers are aware of the AI ethics framework, compared to 47 per cent of employees; 59 per cent of those in senior roles have increased their use, compared to 39 per cent of employees. "Bridging the awareness gap between leadership and employees is now a strategic priority," Santonato therefore says, "We need a concrete investment in training, governance and accessibility to make AI an inclusive and sustainable lever of transformation.

Will AI 'steal' our jobs?

Also in order to put an end to fears, widespread especially among employees, that artificial intelligence will take away jobs, especially in sectors and jobs where processes are more standardised and thus more easily automated: according to the EY Barometer, "34% of Italian workers express a growing concern about the possible employment consequences of the introduction and spread of artificial intelligence in work contexts". Moreover, 76 per cent of respondents believe that the adoption of AI will lead to a reduction in staff.

Let us return to the subject of training, which is the most important aspect: as a country we have invested a lot and we must continue to do so, but also communicate why we are doing so, explaining to workers and citizens the benefits of AI,' says Santonato. 'But it cannot be only companies that do this: it must happen at system level.

As for the sectors in which AI is generating the greatest benefits, the EY Barometer points to energy and sports in particular, with all players reporting a positive impact. In banking, capital markets and financial services, a large proportion of respondents (88%) also recognise tangible improvements as a result of AI adoption. This is followed by advanced manufacturing (80%) and the scientific sector (75%), confirming how AI is becoming a strategic driver of transformation and competitiveness in increasingly diverse contexts.

Giovanna ManciniRedattore ordinario
- @mancinica
Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: Italiano, inglese, tedesco
Argomenti: Industria del design e arredo, made in Italy, cronaca di Milano, consumi, industria del commercio, e-commerce
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