Global Working-Age AI Adoption Reached 18.8% in Q2, Microsoft Report Shows
According to Microsoft's latest Global AI Adoption Report, 18.8% of the global working-age population used AI in Q2, representing a quarter-over-quarter growth of nearly 1%. The UAE and Singapore led global adoption at 70.1% and 64.3% respectively, while South Korea posted the fastest percentage point increase to 40.6%. The report highlights steady growth in AI integration across global workforces while exposing a deepening divide between economic regions. As AI becomes a key driver of productivity, the widening gap between the Global North (28.8% adoption) and Global South (16.2%) could exacerbate worldwide economic inequalities. Japan saw the largest relative gain, jumping from 22.5% to 24.7% adoption, while Saudi Arabia climbed five spots to rank 25th globally. Meanwhile, the United States maintained its 21st position with a 33.0% adoption rate among its working-age population.
## BACKGROUND
Global AI adoption metrics evaluate how widely working-age individuals incorporate artificial intelligence tools into their daily work and productivity tasks. The distinction between the Global North (predominantly developed nations) and Global South (developing economies) is widely used by researchers to measure digital inequality and tech accessibility.