2025年全球AI应用_日益扩大的数字鸿沟研究报告_18页_1mb

Summary of Global AI Adoption in 2025

Core Content

In 2025, global adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) continued to rise, with generative AI tools now being used by roughly one in six people worldwide. However, the growth in AI adoption was uneven, with the Global North experiencing nearly double the rate of adoption compared to the Global South. This has led to a growing digital divide, as AI benefits are not equally distributed across regions.

Main Points

• Global AI Adoption Growth:

  • In the second half of 2025, global AI diffusion reached 16.3%, up from 15.1% in the first half.
  • This growth is attributed to the increasing accessibility and utility of AI tools, even though the technology is still in its early stages of mainstream use.

• Regional Disparities:

  • The Global North saw a 10.6 percentage point gap in AI adoption compared to the Global South.
  • AI diffusion in the Global North reached 24.7%, while it was 14.1% in the Global South.

• Country-Specific Trends:

  • South Korea experienced the most significant rise in AI adoption, moving from 25th to 18th place in the global rankings.
    • Generative AI usage increased from ~26% to over 30% of the working age population.
    • This surge was driven by national policies, improved Korean language models, and a viral cultural moment involving AI-generated images.
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained the top adopter, with 64.0% of the working age population using AI by the end of 2025, up from 59.4% in the first half.
  • United States fell from 23rd to 24th place in AI usage, despite its leadership in AI infrastructure and innovation.
  • DeepSeek emerged as a major player in the open-source AI space, gaining traction in markets with limited access to Western AI platforms.
    • It offered a free, open-source chatbot and released its model under an MIT license, enabling widespread access and adoption.
    • DeepSeek's adoption was particularly strong in China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Belarus, and Africa, where U.S. services face restrictions or limited access.

• Factors Influencing AI Adoption:

  • Government investment in digital infrastructure and AI education has been a key driver of adoption in leading economies.
  • Improvements in language models, especially for Korean, have made AI more accessible and useful for local populations.
  • Cultural phenomena, such as the viral use of AI-generated images, have sparked public interest and led to sustained adoption.
  • Open-source initiatives like DeepSeek are playing a critical role in expanding AI access to underserved regions, raising questions about global AI standards and safety.

Key Information

• AI Diffusion Methodology:

  • AI diffusion is measured as the share of people who have used a generative AI product, based on Microsoft telemetry data adjusted for OS, device, and internet penetration.
  • The methodology is continuously refined by the Microsoft AI Economy Institute.

• AI Diffusion by Region:

  • Global North: 24.7% (up 1.8 percentage points from H1).
  • Global South: 14.1% (up 1.0 percentage points from H1).
  • Worldwide: 16.3% (up 1.2 percentage points from H1).

• AI Diffusion by Country:

  • Top 10 Growth in H2 2025: All were high-income economies, with South Korea and UAE leading the growth at 4.8% and 4.5% respectively.
  • South Korea saw the largest increase in AI usage, driven by policy, model improvements, and a cultural phenomenon.
  • UAE has a long-term AI strategy, including the appointment of the first Minister of State for AI in 2017 and the creation of regulatory sandboxes.

• AI Diffusion in Africa:

  • DeepSeek's adoption in Africa is significantly higher than in other regions, with estimates suggesting it is 2 to 4 times greater.
  • This is attributed to strategic partnerships with local firms like Huawei and the absence of subscription fees, making AI more accessible in price-sensitive areas.

• AI as a Geopolitical Tool:

  • Open-source AI platforms like DeepSeek are not only expanding access but also serving as tools for geopolitical influence, particularly in regions where Western platforms are restricted.
  • The rise of DeepSeek underscores the growing importance of China in the global AI landscape.

Conclusion

The year 2025 has seen a rapid expansion in AI adoption globally, but the benefits are not evenly distributed. While the United Arab Emirates and South Korea have led the charge, the United States and other Western nations lag behind, despite their technological prowess. Meanwhile, open-source AI platforms like DeepSeek are helping to bridge the digital divide by expanding access in regions that have been historically excluded from the first wave of AI adoption. The challenge moving forward is to ensure that AI innovation spreads more equitably, benefiting a broader range of populations and regions.