By Alice Chambers |
Global use of AI is continuing to rise, according to new research from Microsoft, but adoption remains uneven between the northern and southern hemispheres.
Microsoft’s Global AI Adoption in 2025 report highlights how people are using generative AI in daily life, from learning and productivity to problem-solving. Uptake is particularly strong in regions such as North America and Europe, while growth in parts of the southern hemisphere has lagged behind.
Countries that invested early in digital infrastructure, AI skills and public-sector adoption are leading the way. These include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Norway, Ireland, France and Spain.
The UAE remains the top-ranked country for AI usage, with 64 per cent of the working-age population using AI by the end of 2025, up from 59.4 per cent earlier in the year. Singapore follows closely in second place, with an adoption rate of 60.9 per cent.
While the United States leads in AI infrastructure and the development of advanced AI models, it ranks 24th globally for AI usage among the working-age population, at 28.3 per cent.
South Korea has also made significant progress, increasing AI use across schools, workplaces and public services. The country has risen from 25th to 18th place in the global rankings and has become one of ChatGPT’s fastest-growing markets, prompting OpenAI to open an office in Seoul.