OpenAI: EU Firms Hit 55% Agentic AI, But US Owns 65% of Top Users

What does OpenAI's new report say about agentic AI in Europe?

OpenAI's report states that agentic AI now accounts for 55% of output tokens among its EU enterprise and business customers, meaning AI agents handle the majority of work output. This marks a shift from simple question-answering to task completion.

The report, published by OpenAI, highlights that European businesses are transitioning from using AI to answer questions to having AI complete tasks. This shift is measured by output tokens, not by the number of companies using AI, so it reflects intensity of use among adopters rather than broad adoption rates.

The biggest spike in agentic AI usage coincided with the launch of ChatGPT Work, an agentic tool integrated into OpenAI's 'superapp'. The report notes that European SMB AI agent usage increased more than 8x in less than half a year, indicating growing experimentation among smaller firms. For a deeper look at how agentic workflows are cutting costs, see our analysis of enterprise AI and MCP agentic workflows.

Which European countries lead and lag in agentic AI adoption?

Lithuania leads with 85% agentic AI output token share, followed by Cyprus (81%) and Hungary (79%). Slovenia (22%), Austria (26%), and Portugal (29%) trail the EU average of 55%.

The disparities across Europe are stark. While the EU average stands at 55%, some countries show much higher agentic AI penetration. Lithuania, Cyprus, and Hungary are ahead of the curve, suggesting that factors such as local tech ecosystems, digital readiness, or regulatory environments may influence adoption.

At the other end, Slovenia, Austria, and Portugal fall significantly below the average. These gaps highlight that agentic AI adoption is uneven across the continent, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for European businesses.

Why is Europe behind North America in frontier AI firms?

The EU accounts for only 10% of global frontier firms—companies in the top tenth by AI output tokens per active user—while North America holds 65%. This gap suggests European firms are less intensive in their AI usage.

OpenAI's report defines frontier firms as those in the top 10% of businesses ranked by AI output tokens per active user. The EU's 10% share is behind EMEA (11%), APAC (13%), and far behind North America's 65%. This indicates that while European businesses are adopting agentic AI, they are not yet maximizing its output at the same level as their North American counterparts.

Growth rates also differ: non-EU frontier firms saw a 12.9x increase in output tokens between May and September, compared to just 6.1x for EU firms. This suggests that the gap may widen unless European companies accelerate their AI initiatives. For context on the risks of rapid AI adoption without oversight, see our report on IBM's findings on AI incidents and governance gaps.

What does this mean for European SMBs and enterprises?

European SMBs are experiencing a surge in agentic AI usage, with an 8x increase in less than six months, but many large enterprises have already invested heavily. The opportunity now lies in making agentic AI accessible and affordable for smaller businesses.

OpenAI's report emphasizes that small businesses are now experimenting with capabilities previously reserved for large enterprises. The launch of ChatGPT Work has democratized access to agentic AI, allowing SMBs to automate tasks without massive upfront investment.

However, OpenAI also notes that more work is needed on accessibility, affordability, and workforce skills. For European businesses to close the gap with other regions, they must move beyond experimentation and integrate agentic AI into core operations.

How can European businesses catch up in agentic AI?

European businesses can catch up by prioritizing accessibility, affordability, and skills development. OpenAI recommends moving beyond trials and integrating agentic AI into workflows, while addressing cost and training barriers.

OpenAI's blog post highlights three priorities: improving accessibility, reducing costs, and upskilling the workforce. For SMBs, this means leveraging tools like ChatGPT Work to automate routine tasks and free up human workers for higher-value activities.

Enterprises should also consider governance and oversight to ensure responsible AI use. As agentic AI becomes more autonomous, companies must establish clear guidelines and monitoring to prevent errors or misuse. For a cautionary tale on agentic AI risks, see our coverage of an AI agent that wiped an entire Swedish TV season.

1. Assess current AI usage and identify tasks suitable for agentic automation.
2. Invest in training programs to build AI skills across the workforce.
3. Explore affordable agentic AI tools designed for SMBs.
4. Establish governance frameworks to manage agentic AI risks.

Bottom line

OpenAI's report shows European businesses are embracing agentic AI, with 55% of output tokens from agents and SMB usage up 8x. Yet the EU's 10% share of frontier firms signals a need for faster adoption. European companies should prioritize skills, affordability, and integration to close the gap with North America.