AI usage surges among Dutch adults, but workplace adoption lags
The number of Dutch adults using artificial intelligence (AI) tools daily has surged by 500,000 in just six months, bringing the total to more than 3 million, according to new research by Newcom. However, despite this rapid growth, AI remains a distant prospect for many in the workplace.
The study found that while AI usage is expanding in daily life, workplace adoption is moving at a slower pace. Since July 2024, an additional 300,000 employees have begun using AI at work, yet one in three Dutch workers still sees AI as irrelevant to their job. Only a third of employees recognize the technology’s benefits in their professional tasks.
A key factor in AI adoption appears to be education level. Highly educated workers are more likely to embrace AI, frequently using it for research, automation, and text improvement. Meanwhile, lower-educated individuals are also adopting AI at an increasing rate, though primarily for personal use rather than professional tasks.
The research also reveals a generational divide. Two-thirds of Gen Z respondents now use AI tools daily, marking a shift from six months ago when younger workers were more likely to view AI as a potential job threat. This change suggests growing acceptance of AI among younger generations, both in their personal and professional lives.
