Artificial intelligence has become the common thread in the digital policies of OECD countries, but its adoption remains highly uneven depending on company size and user age. This is shown in their annual study Digital Economy and Society Outlook 2026.
- AI is now central to OECD digital policies, but its adoption remains very uneven.
- Large enterprises use AI far more than small ones : 52% versus 20%.
- Young people use generative AI much more than older adults : 68% versus 14%.
- Governments must coordinate policies, manage AI risks, and close digital divides.
The first key finding concerns infrastructure. Computing power dedicated to AI is now considered a strategic asset. Venture capital invested in AI companies active in IT infrastructure and hosting more than doubled in one year, rising from $54.5 billion in 2024 to $123.9 billion in 2025. This segment captured nearly half of all venture capital funding for AI.
This computing race also impacts networks. The OECD notes increased demand for very high-speed, resilient, and affordable connectivity. At the end of 2025, fiber accounted for 51% of fixed broadband subscriptions in the area, compared to 31% five years earlier. Over the same period, the share of Gigabit subscriptions increased sixfold between 2020 and 2025.
Adoption Still the Domain of Large Groups
On the business side, the gap is clear. In 2025, 20% of OECD-area enterprises with ten or more employees use AI, compared to 52% of large enterprises. The combined use of AI, cloud, and big data analytics also remains concentrated in large organizations and in knowledge-intensive sectors. The available data does not detail, sector by sector, which industries are the most advanced.
The divide is just as marked among individuals. In 2025, 68% of 16-24 year-olds use generative AI, compared to only 14% of 55-74 year-olds. For the latter, the main barrier is a lack of interest: 43% do not see its usefulness. This is followed by a skills deficit (12%) and unfamiliarity with the technology (9%).
AI Dominates National Digital Strategies
In terms of public policy, no other technology rivals it for attention. AI is mentioned 607 times in national digital initiatives and strategies in 2025, far ahead of cloud (134 mentions) and 5G (109). Next are quantum technologies (61), blockchain (34), the Internet of Things (19), and 6G (18). The OECD also notes that quantum technologies, semiconductors, and satellites have gained significantly in importance since 2023.
Faced with these dynamics, the organization advocates for a coordinated whole-of-government approach, structured around its Going Digital framework. It notably recommends continuing to expand broadband coverage to reduce geographical divides, facilitating access to cloud services, and supporting the adoption of AI and big data by strengthening complementary skills. It also calls for adapting governance frameworks to harness the benefits of AI while managing its risks.
The OECD’s findings highlight several areas for vigilance: a potential widening of competitiveness gaps between large enterprises and SMEs, increased digital exclusion of older populations, the necessary adaptation of skills and employment policies, as well as vulnerabilities related to the concentration of the ICT supply chain and international dependencies.
