AMSTERDAM, Netherlands—October 01, 2025—People across Europe are using artificial intelligence every day but most don’t realise it, according to new research from Equinix—the world's digital infrastructure company®.
From everyday uses like Google searches and health trackers, to the unseen benefits in drug discovery and pension planning, AI is already being integrated into everyday life. Most people feel confident they understand how AI works (56%), yet just 33% recognise they use AI-powered services or applications daily. 18% even say they never use them, revealing a clear knowledge gap in public understanding of this budding technology.
The survey—which includes insights from 6,000 respondents across Finland, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK—found a surprising 77% of people living across the region aren’t worried about the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in society. In fact, over half of people feel confident in AI already, which when compared to early confidence rates of past innovations like the internet or mobile phone, suggests AI is set to be the quickest adopted new technology in modern history.
Bruce Owen, EMEA President at Equinix noted: “AI is already in your pocket, on your wrist and in your inbox, but this data shows most people don’t realise it. If we want to harness the real potential of AI, we need greater understanding of how we’re already using it. Innovation starts with education.
“AI platforms can now design drug molecules that reach clinical trials in under 18 months rather than several years, enable smart home thermostats to learn daily routines and the carbon intensity of the grid to save energy and costs, and even enhance food quality, optimising production processes and reducing waste.”
“None of this progress is possible without the infrastructure that connects it. At Equinix, we connect people across the globe, but connection alone isn’t enough. Confidence without true understanding risks slowing adoption and limiting AI’s potential to transform health, economies, and society. Now is the time for governments and industry to prioritise AI education alongside infrastructure development, so innovation is embraced with clarity, not confusion.”
Historically, every great innovation has faced uncertainty and misunderstanding, from the arrival of the internet to the phones we now carry everywhere. Yet each of these technologies have become an essential part of how we live and work. They have unlocked huge innovation and impact across vital areas of society, such as communications, healthcare, entertainment and more.
With early consumer confidence in AI already ahead of and bucking historical trends, the data suggests an opportunity for a new era of innovation. To fulfil this potential, it is now essential to increase understanding of what AI is, how it works and what it is already doing for us.
Other key findings from the research reveal:
The Age of Intelligence has arrived; and AI is a key part of that. But AI doesn’t live in silos. Distributed AI is already redefining industries, accelerating discovery, and unlocking endless possibilities. But innovation cannot thrive without greater public knowledge to ensure the technology is accessible, accepted and used efficiently at scale.
With over 120 data centers across EMEA, Equinix provides the foundation for AI and the benefits it can bring to society. Secure, interconnected, low-latency infrastructure allows AI to meet its promise. Furthering advancement, Equinix recently launched a global AI Proving Ground, providing enterprises with a dynamic environment to collaborate with leading AI technology partners, test joint solutions, reduce risk, and speed time to market.
About the Research
The independent study, commissioned by Equinix, surveyed 6,000 consumers aged 16 and above across six markets: the UK, Germany, Finland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The research was carried out by Censuswide, a globally recognised market research firm, with data collected between 28 August and 3 September 2025. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society and adheres to the MRS Code of Conduct as well as ESOMAR principles.
Additional Resources
About Equinix
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world. Its digital infrastructure, data centre footprint and interconnected ecosystems empower innovations that enhance our work, life and planet. Equinix connects economies, countries, organizations and communities, delivering seamless digital experiences and cutting-edge AI—quickly, efficiently and everywhere.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, risks to our business and operating results related to the current inflationary environment; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; stock price fluctuations; increased costs to procure power and the general volatility in the global energy market; the challenges of building and operating IBX® and xScale® data centers, including those related to sourcing suitable power and land, and any supply chain constraints or increased costs of supplies; the challenges of developing, deploying and delivering Equinix products and solutions; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenues from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; risks related to our taxation as a REIT; risks related to regulatory inquiries or litigation; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see recent and upcoming Equinix quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
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