Ukrainian companies are increasingly adopting AI technologies to improve operational efficiency and adapt to change, according to the results of an NBU survey. In particular, the share of enterprises already practically using AI grew from 13.1% to 23.4% over the year.
The National Bank of Ukraine added a block of questions about artificial intelligence adoption to its quarterly business surveys in order to check how AI helps companies improve efficiency and adapt to change. The study was conducted in two waves (in May 2025 and August 2026) and covered 649 and 658 enterprises, respectively, from various industries across 21 regions of Ukraine (outside the occupied zone). The collected data reflect the assessments of top managers themselves, not the official position of the NBU.
Key figures and survey facts
Ukraine is seeing rapid growth in business interest in artificial intelligence: the share of enterprises already practically using AI grew from 13.1% to 23.4%, while another 29.8% of companies are currently considering such an opportunity (versus 19.9% previously). Along with this, there has been a genuine leap in automation — the share of businesses that have already achieved or expect a high level of automation thanks to AI showed a record increase from 2.0% to 46.8%.
The main driver of this transformation is large business, which adopts new technologies twice as actively as small and medium-sized enterprises, reaching 33.2% of active users.
The factor of foreign trade also proved important: the highest level of AI use is observed among companies engaged in both export and import operations, where the indicator grew 1.9 times. At the same time, the sectoral distribution remains uneven — AI is being integrated fastest in construction and the manufacturing industry, while the agricultural sector, extractive industry, and energy are still showing a high share of those who do not plan to use these tools at all.
What businesses use AI for and what hinders them
The main motivation for managers is cost reduction and optimization of products or processes. The most common area remains generative AI, which is used mainly for administrative and financial functions.
Entrepreneurs cite the main barriers in the transition from interest to real adoption as a lack of trained personnel, the absence of ready-made industry-specific solutions, and the need for expert support. In addition, 34% of respondents expressed concern about data security and confidentiality.
Also, the dynamics of the figures in the regional breakdown are significantly affected by the security factor, proximity to the combat zone, and business relocation.