(L’Opinion, Muriel Motte, March 18, 2026)
Only 7% of French employees use artificial intelligence daily at the workplace, a percentage halved compared to the global average, and for the first time in France there is a recorded decline in adoption according to the PwC survey conducted in 48 countries.
French workers clearly perceive the profound transformation of the world of work induced by AI, but complain about a serious lack of trust, reference points, and adequate support, which slows adoption due to lack of investment in training and an effective organizational framework.
Resistance is evident: compared to the global average, the French attribute fewer benefits to AI in terms of work quality, creativity, and job security; many companies, large and small, struggle to create concrete use cases and raise awareness among their employees, sometimes even limiting their access.
Very low daily usage in France.
Only 7% of French employees use generative AI daily at work, a figure stable compared to the previous year but half the global average of 14%, placing France second to last in Europe.
First historic decline in corporate adoption.
For the first time, the use of artificial intelligence in French companies shows a retreat, while in the private sphere usage grows double-digit, highlighting a clear gap between personal life and professional environment.
Insufficient support as the main obstacle.
Artificial intelligence can be very disappointing if employees do not receive adequate support or if it is not integrated into the concrete flow of daily work; sporadic use, such as once a week for 14% of French workers, prevents them from grasping its real advantages.
Less positive perception compared to the rest of the world.
The French are significantly less convinced than the global average that AI will improve the quality of their work in the next three years (46% versus 60%), creativity (42% versus 55%) or job security (26% versus 38%).
Crucial responsibility of companies and human resources.
AI is primarily a human resources issue that will revolutionize jobs, hiring, and careers; the only real responsibility lies with companies, their HR departments, and ultimately corporate leadership, who must anticipate and manage this change urgently.
(Excerpt from the newsletter by Giuseppe Liturri)
