Generative AI now reaches more than a third of people in OECD countries, but who uses it depends heavily on age and on the size of the company they work for, according to the OECD’s Digital Economy and Society Outlook 2026, published on 5 November.
In 2025, 37% of individuals used generative AI tools. Among 16 to 24 year olds the figure was 68%; among 55 to 74 year olds it was 14%. Asked why, 43% of older non-users said they saw no need for it, 12% cited a lack of skills and 9% a lack of awareness.
Businesses show a similar split. One in five firms with ten or more employees used AI in 2025, against 52% of large firms with 250 or more staff. Only around 12% of firms combine AI with cloud computing and big data analytics.
Why it matters: the OECD warns that these gaps risk limiting the benefits of digital change, and says that on current trends AI uptake among large firms could be nearly 80% higher than the average across all firms by the end of the decade. For older adults, the most common reason for not using AI is seeing no need for it, well ahead of a lack of skills.
Source: OECD