AI ADOPTION AND APPARENT LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IN MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE EU

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is frequently suggested as a factor that can increase productivity, but its spread among enterprises does not automatically lead to better financial results. The study analyzes the relationship between the adoption of AI and apparent labor productivity in medium-sized enterprises in 25 EU member states, using Eurostat secondary data for 2021 and 2023. The analysis is quantitative, comparative and exploratory and includes descriptive statistics, national rankings, Pearson correlation and simple linear regressions for 2023 levels and changes over the period 2021–2023. In the cross-sectional analysis, AI adoption is positively and significantly associated with productivity (r = 0.652; R² = 0.425). The result is maintained after excluding Luxembourg and after logarithmic transformation of productivity. In contrast, the increase in AI adoption is not significantly associated with the evolution of productivity over the analyzed period. From a human resource management perspective, the results show that technology is linked to better performance when integrated into work organization, skills development, and other complementary practices. However, the data do not support a causal relationship.