With the AI ​​barometer, Flanders examines the presence of artificial intelligence in the Flemish business world. The figures and conclusions for 2022 have now been published.

For the second year in a row, the Flemish government investigated the presence and use of artificial intelligence in Flemish companies. The figures and conclusions of the last year are now known.

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The figures show that artificial intelligence is mainly used in large (at least 250 employees) and medium-sized (50-249 employees) companies, but by no means on a large scale. Almost a quarter of Flemish companies use AI. The 75 percent who do not do so also indicate that implementation is not planned immediately.

Conclusions

Companies that use AI have a positive impact on competitiveness. Not only is the quality of business processes increasing, but significantly more improved goods and services are being brought onto the market. The latter certainly applies to micro-enterprises.

Lack of knowledge seems to be the biggest reason to stay away from artificial intelligence. As a result, companies that are not yet using AI cannot assess the benefits and therefore do not recognize their benefits.

For companies that have already taken the step, it remains difficult to find the required talent with sufficient knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence in Flanders.

The influence of AI on personnel policy is small, but the balance is positive. Almost two percent of the companies using artificial intelligence saw a decline in employment; in companies where the workforce increased through the use of AI, it was almost eight percent in 2022.

The risks of AI are not yet mentioned in the barometer. But given the latest warnings from experts and the additional measures taken by Europe, that could well play a role next year.