Artificial intelligence is going mainstream, but the digital divide between countries is growing

Generative artificial intelligence continues to spread rapidly across the globe. According to a new report from Microsoft, 17.8% of the world's working-age population used AI tools in the first quarter of 2026.

At the same time, the gap between developed and developing countries continues to widen. In advanced economies, 27.5% of residents aged 15 to 64 use generative AI, while in developing countries this figure is only 15.4%.

Microsoft experts attribute the situation to uneven access to electricity, the internet, and digital skills. An additional factor remains the language barrier: most modern AI models still work more effectively in English, which limits their adoption in several countries.

The leaders in AI adoption were the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Norway, and Ireland. France took fifth place with 47.8% of users, while the United States ranked only 21st with a level of 31.3%.

Microsoft believes that artificial intelligence is capable not only of automating processes but also of increasing the demand for programming specialists. However, the company acknowledges that the ultimate impact of AI on the labor market remains uncertain.

The AI situation in Cyprus

In Cyprus, the use of artificial intelligence is gradually growing, especially in the banking sector, tourism, education, and services. The country is actively discussing issues of digital transformation and the implementation of AI technologies in government services and business.

At the same time, experts note that Cyprus, like many small states, faces a shortage of specialized professionals and the need for accelerated development of digital skills among the population. The authorities and the private sector are increasingly investing in digital education programs and technology startups to strengthen the country's position in innovation.