ROME, April 22 (Reuters) - Italy has one of the lowest rates of artificial intelligence use in Europe, data showed on Wednesday, highlighting a broader shortfall in digital skills in the euro zone's
Italy Among Lowest in Euro Zone for Artificial Intelligence Usage in 2024
Artificial Intelligence Adoption and Digital Skills in Italy
Low Rates of AI Usage Compared to European Average
ROME, April 22 (Reuters) - Italy has one of the lowest rates of artificial intelligence use in Europe, data showed on Wednesday, highlighting a broader shortfall in digital skills in the euro zone's third-largest economy.
Just 19.9% of Italians aged 16 to 74 used artificial intelligence tools last year, compared with a European average of 32.7%, national statistics agency ISTAT said in its first such survey.
Comparison with Other European Countries
Only Romania had a lower score, with 17.8%, it added.
Demographic and Digital Skills Challenges
Italy's Aging Population
Italy has the oldest population in the European Union, with a median age of 48.7 in 2024 compared with an EU average of 44.7, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat, and it lags many peers on key digital skills indicators.
Internet Usage Deficit
Comparison with Other EU Countries
Nearly 10% of Italy's population had not used internet in the previous three months, according to a 2025 Eurostat survey. Only Poland, Portugal, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria and Croatia recorded higher shares.
(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gavin Jones)
