Generative AI is at the heart of a technological revolution that is transforming the daily lives of French people, both personally and professionally. But how do they view these changes?
For the third consecutive year, the study highlights the accelerated democratization of these technologies, while emphasizing persistent generational and regional divides and the emergence of new challenges for companies that are insufficiently prepared for this technological revolution.
Generative AI on the rise: towards mass adoption
Generative AI continues its spectacular growth. 86% of respondents have already heard of these technologies (compared to 78% in 2024). This awareness rate reaches 91% among those under 35.
After a year in 2024 marked by a spectacular increase in the number of users (+60%), generative AI continues to attract more and more French people: 45% of respondents say they use it on a daily basis (+40.6% in one year).
These technologies are mainly used to carry out research (34%), save time in everyday life (28%), correct spelling mistakes (23%), stimulate creativity (13%), and boost self-confidence (10%).
Generational and regional divides are widening
However, this spectacular breakthrough masks the growth of significant disparities. Among these is the widening of the generational divide: 85% of 18-24 year olds now use generative AI (68% in 2024), 63% of 25-34 year olds (compared to 47% in 2024), but only 31% of those aged 35 and over.
A regional divide also persists, creating a multi-speed France in terms of generative AI: the Île-de-France region accounts for 59% of users (including 64% in the Paris metropolitan area), compared to only 44% in urban areas outside Paris and 34% in rural areas.
Generative AI at work: growing use accompanied by major challenges for businesses
43% of respondents say they use generative AI at work, generating productivity gains that are sometimes spectacular. 29% of them say that their productivity and efficiency have increased by more than 40% thanks to these technologies.
Unsurprisingly, OpenAI’s ChatGPT remains the tool of choice for 72% of users, ahead of Google’s Gemini (20%) and Microsoft’s Copilot (12%), while French company Mistral has made a notable entry (6%) alongside Deepseek, the AI from China.
Despite this growing adoption, challenges remain: while 52% of professional users feel encouraged in their use of generative AI, only 15% have received training, while 73% of French people feel they do not have sufficient knowledge to use these technologies effectively.
Another worrying fact is that only 9% of respondents working in companies say that their organization has made generative AI available to them, and 49% say that their company has no intention of doing so.
French people increasingly wary of the democratization of generative AI
Against a backdrop of international tensions, fears surrounding the adoption of these technologies are intensifying and crystallizing around issues of digital sovereignty.
Among the major concerns are excessive dependence on foreign companies (60%), issues related to copyright and intellectual property (64%), and security risks concerning personal and professional data (65%).
“Like all disruptive technologies, generative AI is based on paradoxes. It is being adopted rapidly and on a massive scale, particularly among young people, but at the same time faces structural obstacles, such as persistent divides between generations and regions. In the professional sphere, it is already profoundly transforming work habits and productivity, but its widespread adoption is hampered by a lack of training and reluctance on the part of organizations. Companies and institutions also face a major challenge: on the one hand, the new generation is entering the job market with radically new skills and expectations; on the other, structures are not yet ready to fully integrate these technologies. This dissonance could quickly become an issue of attractiveness and competitiveness for French companies,” says Laurent Cervoni, Director of Research and Innovation at the Talan Group.
