The new baseline measurement shows that a quarter of Flanders-based companies use at least one AI technology. This result is far above the European average and puts the region in second place for AI adoption in Europe, right after Denmark and well before major economies such as Germany and France.
What’s more, the figures are encouraging in light of the Government of Flanders’ official ‘Action Plan for Artificial Intelligence’. “The action plan’s aim is to make Flanders a top European region in the field of AI – and we are well on the way,” says Hilde Crevits, Flanders’ Minister of Economy, Innovation, Work and Agriculture. “But we can do even better!”
AI often remains a niche technology and a matter of large companies, while the new study shows that smaller companies experience the greatest positive impact of AI on their turnover growth. In the coming years, Flanders will therefore continue its supportive efforts through the action plan.
Flanders invests EUR 32 million per year in AI research and business support. What’s more, innovation-minded companies in Flanders can turn to other financing instruments offered by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Last year, 400 companies received support for their AI project.
