A recent study conducted by IndesIA, titled “Barometer of Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Spanish SMEs,” has revealed that only 2% of small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain are implementing processes based on artificial intelligence (AI). This analysis, carried out in collaboration with Accenture, Informa, and Talent Hackers, covered over 60,000 SMEs, showing minimal penetration of this technology in the Spanish business segment.
The average productivity of companies in Spain is 8% below the European average, a deficit that is exacerbated in the realm of SMEs. According to the Bank of Spain, the integration of technological developments such as Artificial Intelligence could be key to reversing this situation. However, the data from the barometer indicates a significant reluctance or inability among small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt these tools.
The study also breaks down the use of AI by company size, showing that only 2.03% of micro-enterprises (with a maximum of 10 employees), 2.38% of small enterprises (with a maximum of 49 employees), and 2.48% of medium-sized enterprises (with a maximum of 249 employees) make use of this technology. The most active sectors in incorporating AI are information and communication technologies, followed by professional, scientific, and technical activities.
Regarding geographical distribution, SMEs in the Community of Madrid top the list with a 3.19% adoption rate, while regions such as Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Castilla y León record the lowest levels, below 1.4%.
The report also highlights a deficit in AI-related educational offerings in Spain, accounting for only 1.94% of the 7,203 official titles offered by universities. Galicia and the Basque Country are the autonomous communities with the widest range of programs related to AI, surpassing the offerings of regions with a higher number of available titles such as Madrid and Catalonia.
To address these challenges, IndesIA suggests various strategies to boost the adoption of AI among SMEs, including incentives for investment in this technology and public support to improve competitiveness and business productivity. Valero Marín, president of IndesIA, emphasizes the urgency of joint action to reverse the low adoption of AI, which he considers crucial for innovation and business competitiveness in Spain.
This study underscores the importance of artificial intelligence not only as a technological tool but as a critical factor for long-term economic development and competitiveness in the Spanish business landscape.