Artificial intelligence (AI) will change life and business in Austria as much as hardly any other technology. The trade association and Google Austria are now providing a comprehensive, cross -sector overview of the use and perception of AI in Austria – both from the consumer perspective: inside and the economy.
The core results:
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42% of the Austrians: inside have one positive attitude To Ki – a clear increase compared to 2024.
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Age Gap: Die Gen z is a pioneer: 66% look optimistic about AI, each: R second indicates that they already have good AI knowledge. Gen z already uses AI services almost across the board.
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GENDER GAP: Men ACI rate much more positively than Women (50% vs. 35%)
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Particularly asked: Ki-shopping assistant – 67% would like help with price searches and 50% product recommendations.
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ChatGPT is the best known AI tool followed by Meta Ai and Google Gemini.
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17% of AI users: Inside in the gen z, they often use for Life counseling – A growing field of application.
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68% of all respondents use Kiespecially for text position (49%), translation (41%) and search (37%).
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Successes are already measurable: 1/3 of all companies records efficiency gains by AI, 22% cost savings, 15% sales increases.
Optimism in Austria: Settings for AI are increasingly positive
The basic attitude to AI is positive in 42% of consumers: inside. This value has increased significantly: in the last trade association Consumer Check from April 2024 it was still 37%. At the same time, the proportion of critics fell significantly: from 52% to currently 22%.
AGE GAP: Gen Z is a pioneer, AI is almost nationwide in use
Generation Z: Two thirds (66%) of the Austrians born between 1997 and 2007 is particularly open to AI: Inside, developments are positive, 57% describe their interest and their enthusiasm for technology as high, 51%, according to their own assessment, have solid AI knowledge. Accordingly, the usage behavior is: the youth uses AI almost across the board (95%).
Unlike older generations from the age of 60: only a third looks positively for AI. The interest in technology (30%) and AI knowledge (13%) are correspondingly lower. A third of the total population stays very outside and does not use AI at all.
Hopes for Longevity & Efficiency, concerns about cybercrime
Across all ages, people with AI combine above all possible medical progress (56%), this hope is particularly pronounced among the older respondents (69%).
Further hopes lie in increases in efficiency (40%) and better access (38%). The gen z wants more convenience in everyday life – for example through improvements in everyday life (44%), in working conditions (25%) or in everyday organization (33%).
Solid scenarios such as Deepfkes or cyber attacks are perceived by a majority as a real threat. A third of the total population (33%) fear the loss of jobs or economic inequality by AI – however, this concern is much more pronounced at 42%.
“AI has arrived in the middle of society. There is also a clear connection between knowledge and attitude: 78% of those who consider their own knowledge as good, see artificial intelligence as a whole. Overall, educational and practical experience are central levers to strengthen trust in AI technologies”, explained Rainer WillManaging Director of the free, non -partisan trade association.
Clear gender differences: men more optimistic than women
The gender gap in the AI area is also exciting: men are much more positive than women. “While exactly half of the men have a very or rather positive attitude to AI, it is only 35%for women. Even with a view to the future, optimism predominates in men: 54%expect that AI will have a positive impact on their lives in the next five years – only a third (37%) believes in women”, only a good third (37%) “, so Martina OberrauchStudy Head and Senior Research Consultant at Reppublika Research & Analytics.
Two thirds want AI shopping assistants
The personal AI assistant to shop? Almost everyone thinks that is good: 67% would like support in finding the cheapest offer. 50% are interested in product recommendations and provider comparisons. The Austrians are more reserved: on the other hand, on the inside of automated shopping lists or taste decisions – only a third would like to give responsibility to AI.
In contrast, AI shopping solutions are particularly in demand for gen z: “Saving money thanks to AI! Half of all young consumers: inside would like to delegate your shopping to a AI assistant to save time and get personalized recommendations. In view of the rapid development towards AI-controlled shopping and paying-keyword Agentic Commerce-these are remarkable numbers. Ki shopping has enormous potential”, confirmed Rainer Will.
AI tool ranking: Chatgpt, Meta Ai & Google Gemini the best known
The best known AI service is ChatGPT – Almost three quarters of the population is at least a term. A fifth of the Austrians: inside – and 60% of the gene Z – Chatgpt uses several times a week, around each: R tenth tenth even daily.
Ranked with a popularity of 52% Meta AI (Llama 4) in second place among the AI tools. By integrating the WhatsApp messenger service, the offer was brought directly to the user-13% of the population use it several times a week.
Google Gemini follows 3rd place with 34%. Microsoft Copilot (24%), the translation service Deepl (19%) and the Chinese chatbot DeepSeek (18%). The image generation tools are somewhat chipped From the · e and Leonardo Mit is 6%.
“I am pleased that Ki Chat Bots are used intensively, especially for younger ones. With the latest developments such as AI Overviews and AI Mode, Google Search generative AI is accessible to even more people. Generative KI and Google Gemini are already on a very good way to bring great use for the broad mass of users”says Maimuna mossesCountry Director von Google Austria.
AI as a companion? Every sixth from the gen z often uses AI for life advice
The most common purpose of AI among all Austrian users is the creation, translation or revision of texts (51% of users: inside indicate this as one of their three most common AI areas of AI). 44% state that specific questions for AI are among their main purposes – such as questions about culture, finance, law, energy, natural sciences or politics.
Each: r third (29%) is often inspired by AI. B. for leisure activities, excursions, vacation planning or recipe ideas. Around a fifth uses KI strongly to solve the problem, for entertaining content or lifestyle questions.
A growing field of application in the gen z: 17% is also KI-based psychological advice among their most common usage reasons for AI-for example in the case of relationship issues, children’s education or in the context of self-coaching.
Future expectations of the Austrians: mixed inside
Almost half of the population (47 %) expect AI to have a major influence on his own life in the next five years. 45 % expect a positive development, 30 % are unsure, 25 % see the future with AI rather negative.
Company survey
Artificial intelligence in the Austrian economy: 68% of companies use AI
AI has also arrived in the Austrian companies: two thirds of all companies surveyed are already using AI. 49% use tools for text position, 41% for translations, 37% as an intelligent search engine. Chatgpt (53%), Microsoft Copilot (36%), Deepl (27%) and Google Gemini (19%) are particularly widespread. Most domestic businesses rely on existing tools – a quarter develops their own solutions.
“The integration of AI tools based on Google Gemini such as AI Overviews and AI Mode is a turning point for many companies. Generative AI not only enables more faster and efficient tasks, but also the creation of completely new content (text, code, images, sound).“, explained Maimuna mosses.
Success by AI: A third of the Austrian businesses are already listing more efficiency
The commitment pays off: “A third of domestic companies from a wide variety of industries report that the use of AI has already led to noticeable efficiency increases. 22% record cost reductions, 19% of higher customer satisfaction and at least 15% already a measurable increase in sales”added Rainer Will.
The willingness to invest is correspondingly high: Over half of all companies surveyed are planning investments in AI in the next two years – 38% want to expand their existing investments moderately to significantly, and invest 12% for the first time, especially in the area of small and medium -sized companies (SME).
Most of the only tasks within the company (29%) see as a personnel.
Know-how & strategy is missing
Only 32% of the companies surveyed appreciate their internal AI know-how as (very) well. “Strong 68% of Austrian companies have at least taken the first steps to implement AI, a fifth is already at an advanced stage”so Will. “The will is there, but often the companies still lack resources. Therefore, we have to actively shape AI access, especially for small and medium-sized companies, with comprehensive training, guidelines and best practices.”
Two thirds (67%) expect productivity growth, each fourth company even high to very high effects. Around every fifth large company has already strategically anchored – but almost as many companies in AI see no strategic relevance for their company.
“32% of Austrian companies are currently not using AI, 22% are not planning this in the future. These figures are worrying and underline the need for action. Only those who use the new tool will exist in the long term”says trading spokesman Rainer Will.
“AI is no longer a future, but the present – and if you use it sensibly, you get real competitive advantages”emphasized Maimuna mossesCountry Director Google Austria. “Our joint study shows a clear spirit of optimism. Now it is important to close the gap in knowledge and implementation – together with partners from business, politics and education.“
EU AI Act: Commercial association offers Local companies AI basic training
The trade association offers AI basic training so that companies in the EU AI Act anchored training obligation in the EU AI act easily and efficiently meet. Further practical training formats and implementation aids are being developed to make Austria’s dealer fit for the AI age.
“The high usage rate of AI services-especially among young target groups-shows that AI is now firmly anchored in everyday life. But the discrepancy between potential and internal know-how makes it clear where companies have to invest now”says trading spokesman Rainer Will Finally.
You can find the full study report HERE.