Europe is spending heavily to secure its place in the global race for artificial intelligence. A new study by Eskimoz, a Paris-based digital marketing firm, finds that the continent has already committed more than €200 billion to AI development. And with over 74 percent of businesses beginning to integrate AI into their operations, the numbers point to a continent in the midst of a profound technological transformation.
The report, released this month, set out to identify Europe’s most AI-ready countries by examining four factors: investment in AI technologies, the strength of digital infrastructure, the regulatory and legislative environment, and the degree of adoption by both businesses and individuals. Eskimoz combined these into an “AI readiness score,” ranking the countries best positioned to integrate the technology into their economies.
The findings show a clear leader. Sweden emerged as Europe’s most AI-ready country, earning a perfect score of 100. With investments totaling €3.2 billion, Sweden also achieved a readiness index of 0.75, reflecting robust infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and strong government policies that encourage innovation. Swedish businesses have embraced the shift: 25 percent now report using at least one AI tool in their daily operations, placing the country second only to Denmark in terms of adoption.
Germany, Europe’s economic powerhouse, came in second with a score of 82. Although it matched Sweden’s readiness index at 0.75, Germany’s greater financial commitment stood out — nearly €4 billion, the largest investment by any country in the ranking. Yet adoption by German companies has been slower, with just under 20 percent using AI tools in daily operations.
The Netherlands ranked third, scoring 79 overall, and posted the second-highest readiness index at 0.77. Dutch society’s interaction with AI stood out: individuals use AI tools on average 50 times per year, more than any other country measured. About 23 percent of Dutch companies reported adopting AI technologies, showing strong integration on both the business and consumer sides.
France, despite channeling €3.4 billion into artificial intelligence — the second-highest level of investment after Germany — ranked fourth with a score of 69. Its readiness index came in lower, at 0.70, and only 10 percent of French companies reported using AI tools daily, suggesting that enthusiasm has yet to filter into widespread adoption.
Denmark rounded out the top five with a score of 64, but its performance offered another dimension to Europe’s AI landscape. Danish firms reported the highest reliance on AI in the continent, with 27.6 percent using it regularly. The country also recorded the highest readiness index overall at 0.78, surpassing even Sweden. Its relatively modest investment — just under €274 million — was offset by its strong digital infrastructure and cultural openness to technological innovation.
Other northern European countries also featured prominently. Finland, in sixth place with a score of 61, reported a readiness index of 0.76 and an adoption rate of 24 percent, supported by €1.3 billion in investment. Belgium, ranked seventh with a score of 57, posted a high adoption rate at 24.7 percent but a weaker readiness index of 0.67. Norway followed closely with a score of 56, showing a readiness index of 0.71, adoption by 20.8 percent of businesses, and investments of just under €200 million.
Austria ranked ninth with a score of 55, reflecting steady investment of €239 million and 20.3 percent business adoption. Ireland completed the top ten with a score of 49, investing €223 million into AI and achieving a readiness index of 0.69, but adoption among Irish companies remains comparatively low at 14.9 percent.
For Eskimoz, the results demonstrate that success in AI is not simply a matter of spending. “AI readiness is about more than just investment,” a spokesperson for the firm said in a statement. “It reflects how countries are preparing businesses, education, and infrastructure for the future of work. High adoption rates signal that companies are integrating AI into daily operations, while robust national strategies show a commitment to innovation. By tracking these trends, we can better understand which regions are leading in AI and where additional support or guidance may be needed.”
The report also underscored the uneven progress across Europe. While some countries are investing billions and building infrastructure to support AI adoption, others still rely on small-scale programs or face gaps between policy ambition and business practice.
That divide highlights the central challenge of Europe’s AI revolution: whether its widespread financial commitments and legislative reforms can translate into tangible change at the level of companies, workers, and everyday citizens. With global competitors like the United States and China scaling AI capabilities at unprecedented speed, Europe’s leaders face pressure not only to spend, but also to ensure their investments turn into real-world innovation.