Global AI adoption is growing, and so is the digital divide

"despite one person in six now using generative AI (genAI) tools, there exists what it described as a "widening divide." The adoption rate in nations that are situated in the region known as the Global North, a term used for developed nations regardless of their geographic location, is at 24.7% of the working age population, far higher than the 14.1% figure in the Global South, those countries either under development or least developed."

"While the US is the leader in both AI infrastructure and frontier model development, it fell from 23rd to 24th place in AI usage by its working age population, with a 28.3% usage rate. It lags far behind smaller, more highly digitized and AI-focused economies such as Ireland (44%), New Zealand (40.5%), Belgium (36%), and Canada (35%). South Korea (30.7%) led the world in growth, with usage surging by almost 5% in the second half of the year.."

Global AI adoption increased 1.2 percentage points in the second half of 2025, and one in six people now use generative AI tools. Adoption in the Global North reached 24.7% of the working-age population, compared with 14.1% in the Global South. Nations that invested early in digital infrastructure, AI skilling, and government adoption — including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Norway, Ireland, France, and Spain — continue to lead. The top 10 nations with the largest adoption increases are all high-income. The United States leads in infrastructure and frontier model development but fell to 24th in usage at 28.3%, trailing highly digitized smaller economies. South Korea posted the fastest growth, rising nearly 5% in H2 2025. DeepSeek’s rapid rise reflects growing Chinese momentum across Africa that could continue into 2026.

Read at Computerworld