Artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across Central and Eastern Europe

Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is rapidly expanding the use of artificial intelligence, yet the pace of adoption is beginning to outstrip the region’s readiness in terms of skills, governance and regulatory awareness. According to the KPMG report AI in Central and Eastern Europe – Between potential and responsibility, organisations and individuals across the region are increasingly relying on AI tools, while the foundations needed to use them responsibly – including training, policy frameworks and regulatory understanding – remain underdeveloped. The publication draws on a global study involving more than 48,000 respondents across 47 countries, including over 6,000 participants from Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary.

Digital Transformation Index Surpasses 5 Points

Although adoption levels differ across markets, Poland stands out with nearly 70% of respondents using AI tools regularly – the highest in the region and above the CEE average of 59%. At the same time, fewer than one in three users across the region has completed any form of AI training, with Slovenia recording the largest share of untrained users at 43%. This imbalance exemplifies a broader regional trend – the enthusiasm for adopting AI solutions is not matched by the development of the skills required to manage and apply them effectively.

Respondents across CEE most frequently highlight improved access to information (77%), greater efficiency (77%) and the reduction of repetitive tasks (76%) as the key advantages of AI. These findings underscore the region’s strong belief in the practical benefits of the technology. In markets such as Poland, this translates into clear productivity gains and enhanced workflows. However, growing concern about the risks associated with AI-generated misinformation is becoming more prominent. Many respondents point to misinformation, inaccurate outputs and the erosion of human interaction as the most significant dangers posed by emerging AI systems. These apprehensions are particularly visible in markets where publicly available generative tools are widely used, both in daily life and at work.

Despite the rapid adoption of AI, regional awareness of legal frameworks remains low. As many as 89% of respondents in CEE report that they are unfamiliar with existing AI regulations. While Romania demonstrates the highest regulatory awareness, many other markets – including the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia – record minimal levels of knowledge. Across the region, respondents express considerably greater trust in international regulation than in domestic oversight, viewing global frameworks as better positioned to ensure safe and consistent development of AI technologies. In Poland, nearly 80% of those surveyed prefer international regulatory mechanisms to national ones.

Support for independent AI regulatory bodies, such as industry self-regulation or the creation of dedicated, independent AI regulators, remains mixed. While these approaches attract meaningful support, particularly in Hungary and Romania, they are generally viewed as complementary to broader oversight rather than sufficient on their own. However, governments will need to carefully consider how they engage with industry leaders, as specialized expertise beyond traditional regulatory frameworks may prove critical to the successful adoption of AI.

Andrzej Gałkowski

Partner, Head of AI in KPMG in Poland and CEE

KPMG in Poland

Workplace adoption in the region is advancing quickly. Poland is among the most mature markets, with more than 70% of employees stating that their organisations use AI tools, and similarly high levels are observed in Romania and Slovenia. Nevertheless, only 30% of employees in Poland say their organisations have formal policies governing the use of AI. While this places Poland above the CEE average, it still lags behind the global benchmark. Throughout the region, publicly available AI tools are widely used in professional settings, and a significant majority of employees rely on free external platforms rather than employer-provided solutions. This trend increases the risk of sensitive data being introduced into systems outside corporate oversight.

While organizational implementation rates and levels of employee usage of AI appear broadly aligned, and therefore seemingly unproblematic, this does not necessarily indicate strong organizational oversight over how AI is being used by employees. Access to employer-provided AI tools is not always evenly distributed across the workforce, suggesting that some employees may be adopting AI on their own, outside of sanctioned channels. At the same time, the similarity between implementation and usage levels may reflect another factor: employees who actively use AI tools are likely to be more aware of their organization’s adoption efforts, while others remain uninformed. This implies that actual implementation may be somewhat higher than reported, but information about these initiatives is not consistently communicated across organizations.

Andrzej Gałkowski

Partner, Head of AI in KPMG in Poland and CEE

KPMG in Poland

Risky practices remain widespread. Between 20% and 30% of employees across the region admit that they at least occasionally use AI tools without knowing their organisation’s policies, upload company data to public platforms or rely on AI outputs without appropriate verification. These behaviours are particularly common in Poland, Slovenia and Romania.

Concerns about the impact of AI on employment remain moderate. Across CEE, 31% of employees fear that AI may replace their current roles, while only 21% believe the technology will create more jobs than it eliminates. A cautious attitude prevails regarding AI’s potential to reshape career development and daily responsibilities. “This hesitancy should prompt organisations to put people at the centre of digital transformation efforts. Automation must be accompanied by reskilling initiatives, clear communication and practical examples of AI in specific sectors. Only consistent, transparent dialogue about the opportunities and limitations of AI can turn concerns into engagement that benefits both organisations and their employees.

Andrzej Gałkowski

Partner, Head of AI in KPMG in Poland and CEE

KPMG in Poland