South Korea’s generative AI adoption rate reached 40.6 percent in the second quarter, up 3.5 percentage points from the previous quarter, lifting the country four places to 12th globally. It recorded the largest increase among major economies for the third consecutive quarter.

Microsoft’s AI Economy Institute measured the share of the working-age population, aged 15 to 64, using AI products. South Korea’s adoption rate rose 15 percentage points from a year earlier.

The United Arab Emirates topped the rankings at 73.3 percent, followed by Singapore at 64.3 percent, Ireland and France. The global adoption rate edged up to 18.8 percent from 17.8 percent in the previous quarter.

Adoption reached 28.8 percent in the advanced “Global North,” compared with 16.2 percent in the emerging “Global South.” Usage patterns also differed. Users in the South were more focused on learning and skills development, while those in the North more often used AI for shopping, information searches and feedback.


don@heraldcorp.com