Spanish Companies Lead in AI Adoption Over U.S. Counterparts

A new study from latevaIA Research reveals that Spanish companies are more likely to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) than their American counterparts, with significant differences noted across various firm sizes.

According to the study, which was published on October 22, 2026, 33.6% of Spanish enterprises with 10 or more employees were using AI in the first quarter of 2026. This figure is notably higher than the 17.3% to 22.4% adoption rates seen in the U.S. during the same period.

For mid-sized firms (50-249 employees), the gap is even more pronounced. In Spain, 48.9% of these firms were using AI, compared to 21.3% to 25.3% in the United States. Large firms (250 or more employees) saw an even greater disparity, with 74.4% of Spanish companies adopting AI, compared to 30.6% and 37% in the U.S. during the same time frame.

Small firms (10-49 employees) in Spain had a 29.1% adoption rate, which is close to the 25.3% to 32% rate seen in the U.S. firms of a similar size. For the smallest firms with fewer than 10 employees, 21.4% in Spain adopted AI, compared to 17.0% to 17.6% in the U.S.

The study also notes that U.S. adoption of AI is on the rise. The U.S. Census Bureau's national series showed a steady increase, rising from 17.3% in mid-November 2025 to 22.4% by August 9, 2026. However, the differences between the two countries remain significant.

The study highlights that the differences in AI adoption rates between the two countries are not just about company size. It notes that fewer than 10 employees in Spain adopted AI at a rate of 21.4%, compared to 17.0% to 17.6% in the U.S. This smallest difference is considered directional, meaning it is a preliminary finding that requires further investigation.

The full study, including data tables, charts, and methodology, is available at LATEVAIA RESEARCH · STUDY 01 · OCTOBER 2026. The research is based on probability-sample surveys conducted by official statistical agencies in both countries, covering the first quarter of 2026 and comparing firms by size band rather than national totals.

The study also notes that the U.S. adoption rates are likely conservative due to the timing of the surveys. For firms with 10 to 49 employees, the U.S. rate would need to increase by approximately 1.6 times to close the gap with Spain. For 50 to 249 employees, the increase would be 2.1 times, and for 250 or more employees, it would be 2.4 times.

Reasons for non-adoption vary between the two countries. In Spain, 79.6% of enterprises that considered AI but did not use it cited a lack of relevant in-house skills. In the U.S., 63.3% of the smallest firms that do not use AI say it is not applicable to their business. These results are presented side by side without drawing a cross-country conclusion, as the surveys used different answer options.

The study covers the same quarter in both countries and compares firms by size band rather than national totals, which cover different populations. The full sources and limitations are detailed in the study, which is available for review.