OpenAI's recent report reveals that AI agents now produce over half of the output on its enterprise platforms in the European Union, driven by an eightfold rise in small business use since mid-2026. Despite this growth, a gap remains between European firms and global AI powerhouses in maximizing productivity gains.
- AI agents generate more than 50% of output tokens on OpenAI platforms in the EU.
- SMB weekly active AI agent users grew over eightfold from May to October 2026.
- Europe trails North America in deep AI use by leading firms despite strong growth.
What happened
OpenAI's analysis of its enterprise and business platform usage in the European Union shows AI agents, like those powered by Codex and ChatGPT Work, now produce more than half of all output tokens generated by EU firms. This shift marks a significant moment as businesses move from AI experimentation to task automation and execution.
Small and medium-sized businesses, which represent a major portion of the EU economy and employment, have driven much of this surge. From early May to early October 2026, weekly active AI agent use among SMBs grew more than eightfold following the launch of ChatGPT Work, signaling widespread interest and adoption despite differing rates among member states.
Why it matters
AI stands to be a pivotal driver of productivity and economic growth in Europe, particularly if firms can increase usage beyond experimentation and improve employee AI literacy and confidence. The report emphasizes that unlocking these capabilities can lead to stronger businesses and more robust economies throughout the region.
However, uneven adoption rates across countries and a notable gap in intensive AI use compared to North America highlight opportunities. While the most advanced EU firms produce substantial AI output, global frontier firms outside Europe generate more than twice their AI activity per user, suggesting that Europe must enhance access to advanced tools and foster deeper AI integration for competitiveness.
What to watch next
Observers should monitor how EU member states and business sectors address the disparity in AI adoption intensity and whether initiatives emerge to build AI skills at scale across the workforce. Efforts to make advanced AI technology more accessible and affordable will be crucial in closing the productivity gap with global leaders.
Tracking further developments in small business AI use will also be key, as SMBs create a significant share of private-sector employment and economic output in the EU. The trajectory of these firms' AI adoption and output may serve as a bellwether for broader European competitiveness in an increasingly AI-driven global market.