Polish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are steadily entering the era of artificial intelligence, although their sentiment and readiness for implementation vary greatly across industries. According to the latest “AI Barometer” published by the European Leasing Fund (EFL), the financial and ICT sectors are the most advanced and optimistic about the future of AI. In contrast, companies in the HoReCa and healthcare sectors are slowing down investments and approaching digital transformation with greater caution.
Rising Overall Index and Positive Outlook for SMEs
The main AI Barometer index for the second half of 2025 reached 67.8 points – an increase of 1 point compared to the previous edition. Crossing the 50-point threshold indicates favorable conditions for developing AI-based projects in the SME sector. The result suggests that the majority of companies perceive value in using artificial intelligence, even if their level of digital maturity varies.
“Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly embedded in Polish companies, especially those already familiar with advanced technologies. More and more businesses are thinking about AI from a long-term perspective, which is reflected in the number of development strategies that are being formulated,”
said Paweł Bojko, Vice President of EFL.
Finance and ICT Lead AI Investments
The financial sector once again leads in AI adoption, achieving a record 78 points in the second half of 2025 – a nearly 10-point increase compared to the previous measurement. As many as 82% of financial firms expect an increase in sales thanks to AI implementation, and 60% plan to boost investments in this area. Additionally, 38% report plans to expand employment in AI-related roles.
The ICT sector ranks second with 74.5 points and leads in planned investments – 71% of companies plan to increase AI spending, while 67% expect sales growth as a result of AI use. Notably, nearly 40% of ICT firms evaluate their AI readiness as “high,” placing them at the forefront of digitalization.
HoReCa Shows the Sharpest Decline – From Euphoria to Caution
The situation looks starkly different in the HoReCa sector. Its score dropped sharply by 22.9 points – from 68.2 to 45.3 – indicating unfavorable conditions for AI development. Only 5% of companies in this industry plan to increase AI investments, while a notable 86% do not intend to include AI in their development strategies. Likely weighed down by current challenges such as rising operational costs and wage pressures, the sector has limited capacity to invest in new technologies.
The healthcare and social care sector also saw a decline in sentiment. The index fell from 71.8 to 60.5 points, primarily due to reduced willingness to invest – only 27% of firms plan to increase AI spending, compared to 74% just six months earlier.
Staffing Needs Grow – But Unevenly
The EFL report also highlights significant differences in AI talent needs. The highest recruitment levels are expected in the financial and creative industries, where 38% and 36% of companies, respectively, plan to hire new AI specialists.
The creative sector also reports the highest confidence in its digital competences – 47% of companies consider their AI implementation abilities to be high. This stands in stark contrast to industries such as trade, healthcare, or transport, where fewer than 10% of firms rate their AI readiness positively.
AI Barometer Subindices for H2 2025: Sector Overview
| Sector | H2 2025 | H1 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Insurance | 78.0 | 68.3 | +9.7 |
| ICT | 74.5 | 63.2 | +11.3 |
| Creative & Marketing | 70.4 | 67.0 | +3.4 |
| Industry | 67.2 | 67.8 | -0.6 |
| Trade | 61.7 | 68.6 | -6.9 |
| Transport & Logistics | 60.5 | 71.8 | -11.3 |
| Healthcare | 60.5 | 71.8 | -11.3 |
| HoReCa | 45.3 | 68.2 | -22.9 |
The AI Barometer, published biannually by EFL, monitors the readiness and investment outlook of Polish SMEs in the field of artificial intelligence. The analysis covers four key areas: investment spending, employment changes for AI projects, impact on sales performance, and digital competencies.
The latest findings confirm that digital transformation in Polish SMEs is underway, but its pace is uneven across sectors. While some industries accelerate, others are still learning how to find their place in the new, technology-driven landscape.
Source: managerplus.pl
