A new survey reveals that Swedes are less certain about their understanding of AI compared with other European countries.
STOCKHOLM, Sweden – October 06, 2025 – Swedes use artificial intelligence (AI) every day, but many don’t realize it and are unsure about their AI knowledge, according to new research from Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), the world’s digital infrastructure company®.
From everyday services like search engines and streaming to more invisible uses in healthcare and logistics, AI is already a part of everyday life. Despite this, only 30 percent of Swedes say they use AI daily, while 18 percent believe they have never used the technology, which reveals a clear knowledge gap in Swedes’ understanding of the next technology shift.
At the same time, nearly half of Swedes (49 percent) say they don’t understand how AI works, compared to 44 percent who say they do (others remain unsure). In the rest of Europe, the figures are 39 percent and 56 percent.
"Sweden has a tradition of being at the forefront of tech innovation. If we don’t understand AI and the opportunities AI offers, we risk falling behind. If Sweden is to continue to be a digital pioneer, we must repeat the internet miracle, but for AI,” says Regina Dahlström, Managing Director for the Nordics at Equinix.
The survey, based on 6,000 respondents in six European countries—Sweden, Finland, Germany, the UK, Spain and Switzerland—also shows that 77 percent of people living across Europe aren’t worried about the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in society, in line with Swedes’ perception (76 percent).
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.
“AI is already deeply embedded in our daily lives, in almost every technology touchpoint we have, 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,” explains Dahlström.
Already, AI platforms can design drug molecules that reach clinical trials in under 18 months instead of several years, enable smart home thermostats that learn daily routines and the carbon intensity of the electricity grid to save energy and costs. They can even improve food quality by optimizing production processes and reducing waste.
“None of this would be possible without the infrastructure behind it. At Equinix, we connect people across the globe through our data centers. But that’s not enough. The whole of society must prioritise AI education alongside infrastructure development to enable innovation,” adds Dahlström.
Historically, every major innovation has been met with scepticism or misunderstanding—from electricity to the internet. But the internet turned out not to be a “fly”. Rather, these technologies have become indispensable in everyday life and created enormous societal benefits. AI is now at the same inflection point.
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.
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About Equinix
Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX) shortens the path to boundless connectivity anywhere in the world. Its digital infrastructure, data center 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.
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