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US Census Bureau reports higher AI adoption among larger firms

The US Census Bureau has published new findings from its Business Trends and Outlook Survey, showing that AI use among US businesses remained between 17% and 20% from December 2025 to May 2026.

The survey also found that between 20% and 23% of businesses expected to use AI within the next six months. The data were collected between 14 December 2025 and 3 May 2026 and provide a biweekly, nationally representative view of AI implementation across US businesses.

AI adoption was higher among larger firms. Around 37% of businesses with at least 250 employees reported using AI in their operations, while 32% of firms with 100 to 249 employees reported AI use during the data collection period ending 3 May 2026.

The Census Bureau said AI use increased among firms with at least 20 employees between December 2025 and May 2026, but did not change significantly among firms with fewer than 20 employees. Less than 20% of firms with four or fewer employees reported using AI.

Sector-level findings showed that AI use remained above the national average in the Information and Finance and Insurance sectors. As of 3 May 2026, AI use reached 39.7% in Information and 33.9% in Finance and Insurance, compared with a national rate of 19.8%.

Retail Trade businesses reported lower adoption rates, with around 14% currently using AI and about 17% expecting to use it within six months.

The Census Bureau also noted that its updated AI supplement now measures AI use across 15 business functions, including finance, human resources, customer service, marketing, information technology, and research and development. The supplement also examines AI-related operational changes, including training, workflow adjustments, and technology investments.

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Netherlands leads Europe’s accelerating AI race

The Netherlands continues to lead Europe in AI adoption, with 61% of Dutch companies using AI compared with a European average of 54%, according to the ‘Unlocking the Netherlands’ AI Potential’ report by Strand Partners, commissioned by Amazon Web Services.

Adoption has risen from 49% a year earlier, reflecting the growing use of AI tools across Dutch businesses. Companies already using AI report measurable benefits, with 80% saying innovation has accelerated over the past two years and 76% reporting productivity improvements. Another 81% expect AI to contribute to business growth over the next year.

Despite the rapid uptake, only 23% of companies said they were prepared for next-generation systems such as agentic AI, pointing to a widening gap between basic adoption and advanced readiness.

Most organisations remain in the early stages of deployment, relying largely on public chatbots and off-the-shelf tools. Sectors including public administration, healthcare, and construction continue to lag, while start-ups stand out as an exception, with 83% saying they are ready for advanced AI technologies.

The report also identified structural barriers slowing longer-term progress. Skills shortages remain the biggest challenge, with companies reporting gaps in AI expertise, cybersecurity, and data analysis. Rising compliance costs and limited financing are also affecting adoption.

At the same time, Dutch businesses increasingly view digital sovereignty, data protection, and access to global technology infrastructure as important for maintaining Europe’s AI competitiveness.

Why does it matter?

The findings suggest that Europe’s AI competitiveness will depend not only on adoption rates but also on whether companies can move from basic AI tools to more advanced systems that reshape workflows, decision-making, and productivity. The Dutch case highlights a wider European challenge: closing skills, investment, and infrastructure gaps while balancing innovation, regulation, data protection, and reliance on global technology providers.

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Singapore pushes trusted AI governance with KPMG AI centre

Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information has highlighted trust and accountability as key factors in AI adoption during the launch of KPMG’s new Trusted AI Centre of Excellence. Minister of State Jasmin Lau said governments and businesses should ensure AI adoption benefits workers, citizens, and smaller enterprises alongside larger organisations.

The new centre will focus on AI governance, monitoring systems, and AI-related assurance processes as organisations deploy increasingly advanced AI models. KPMG said it is using AI tools internally across audit, tax, and advisory services before broader deployment to clients.

Singapore also reiterated its goal of strengthening its role in regional AI governance and standards development. Officials highlighted efforts involving ASEAN cooperation, AI testing capabilities, and governance initiatives such as AI Verify. According to officials, transparency, explainability, and accountability will remain important factors influencing public confidence in AI systems.

The discussions also reflected broader concerns about AI-related economic disruption, governance challenges, and public trust. Officials noted that businesses and workers continue to face uncertainty regarding AI governance, compliance, and the economic effects of AI adoption.

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Canada backs AI adoption across Toronto businesses

Canada has announced nearly C$16.5 million in funding for 13 businesses and organisations in the Greater Toronto Area to support AI adoption and help bring new AI technologies to market.

The investment was announced by Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. The funding will support projects in healthcare, energy management, legal services, construction, finance, transportation, sensitive data infrastructure, and enterprise software.

Several projects focus on healthcare and life sciences. Cosm Medical will accelerate the clinical and commercial rollout of an AI-driven platform for patient-specific gynaecological devices, while Future Fertility will commercialise AI-powered technology for assessing endometrial receptivity. MarkiTech will advance an AI healthcare solution for clinical workflows, and ProteinQure will bring to market an AI-powered targeted drug delivery solution.

Other recipients will use AI to improve business operations and sector-specific workflows. DMD Building Systems will integrate robotics, automation, and AI software for engineering workflows, while Edgecom Energy will commercialise its AI Energy Co-Pilot platform for energy management. Trax will develop an AI-assisted platform for building permit compliance checks, and VisFuture will deliver a natural-language AI tool for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The funding also includes C$2 million for Private AI, operating as Limina, to scale a sensitive data infrastructure platform for regulated sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and insurance. MinuteBox will add advanced AI capabilities to its legal services platform, while Stratosphere Technology, operating as Fiscal.ai, will develop an AI-powered platform for structuring corporate filing data.

The Vector Institute will receive C$4 million to launch and deliver a programme helping start-ups improve data readiness, develop models, and deploy AI products. The Government of Canada said the investment is intended to support AI adoption, commercialisation, productivity, competitiveness, and Ontario’s wider AI ecosystem.

Why does it matter?

The funding shows how Canada is using regional development programmes to push AI from research and experimentation into sector-specific commercial deployment. The mix of recipients also points to a broader policy priority: supporting domestic AI capacity while encouraging adoption in regulated and productivity-sensitive sectors such as healthcare, finance, construction, energy, and legal services.

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European Union reviews platform power in third annual Digital Markets Act report

The European Commission has published its first formal review of the Digital Markets Act, assessing how the regulation is affecting large online platforms and digital market competition across the European Union.

The review says the DMA has already produced visible changes in some areas, including greater user choice through third-party app stores and prompts allowing users to select browsers or search engines. However, it also points to continuing challenges in implementation and enforcement.

Enforcement has become a central part of the assessment. In April 2025, Apple was fined €500 million for blocking developers from directing users to cheaper purchasing options, while Meta was fined €200 million over its ‘consent or pay’ model. Both companies are appealing the decisions.

The Commission also highlighted ongoing compliance and procedural difficulties. According to the review, investigations are taking around twice as long as the 12-month target, while legal procedures are being used to slow compliance.

The assessment raises broader questions about whether the DMA should eventually cover fast-growing areas such as AI tools and cloud platforms. The review presents the regulation as an evolving framework whose long-term impact will depend on consistent enforcement and adaptation to new market realities.

Why does it matter?

The review indicates that the Digital Markets Act is transitioning from establishing rules to a more challenging phase of enforcement. Initial changes suggest that the law is starting to influence the behaviour of platforms. However, delays, appeals, and uncertainties regarding AI and cloud services demonstrate that the European Union’s digital competition framework will need to continuously adapt as the power of platforms shifts into new areas of the digital economy.

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European Central Bank examines systemic risks linked to AI-driven finance

The European Central Bank (ECB) has published research examining how AI systems could affect financial stability as AI adoption expands across financial markets.

According to Eurosystem research, different AI architectures may produce significantly different market behaviours under similar economic conditions.

ECB simulations compared reinforcement learning systems with large language model-based agents operating in simulated financial environments. Researchers found that some reinforcement learning systems displayed coordinated responses resembling bank run dynamics in certain scenarios.

The report linked part of this behaviour to risk-avoidance patterns associated with prior negative outcomes.

Large language model-based systems showed lower coordination but more variable and unpredictable responses during periods of uncertainty. Despite receiving identical instructions, LLM-based agents frequently developed different assumptions about market behaviour, particularly during periods of moderate economic uncertainty.

ECB researchers noted that such inconsistency could create its own form of instability as AI-generated expectations diverge across financial markets.

The ECB suggested that wider AI adoption in finance may require updated risk management practices, investor awareness, and regulatory safeguards.

The research also highlighted the potential importance of existing market stabilisation measures, including circuit breakers and investor protection mechanisms.

Why does it matter?

AI is rapidly becoming embedded in trading, investment management, and financial decision-making across global markets, meaning flaws in AI behaviour could amplify systemic risks at unprecedented speed and scale.

The research signals that financial stability may increasingly depend not only on economic fundamentals and regulation, but also on the underlying architecture, coordination patterns, and predictability of the AI systems shaping market activity.

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European Commission opens consultation on crypto-assets regulation

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the functioning of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, seeking feedback from stakeholders and the wider public as digital asset markets continue to evolve.

Implemented in 2024, MiCA established the EU’s harmonised regulatory framework for crypto-assets and related services. It covers crypto-assets, asset-referenced tokens, e-money tokens, stablecoins, their issuers and crypto-asset service providers operating across the bloc.

The Commission said crypto-asset markets and the wider policy landscape have continued to expand since MiCA was developed. It is assessing whether the current framework remains fit for purpose in light of market and international regulatory developments.

The consultation seeks feedback on MiCA’s main building blocks. It includes a public questionnaire for individuals and a targeted consultation covering more technical and legal questions for stakeholders such as digital asset issuers and service providers, financial institutions, technology providers, academia, think tanks, industry bodies, consumer organisations and the EU public authorities.

Feedback submissions are open until 31 August. The Commission said the responses will inform its future policy work on digital assets.

Why does it matter?

The consultation shows that crypto regulation is entering a more adaptive phase, in which policymakers are assessing whether existing rules can keep pace with evolving markets and international approaches. Any future adjustment to MiCA could affect stablecoin issuers, crypto service providers, investors and wider digital finance policy in the EU, while also influencing regulatory debates in other jurisdictions.

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Canada advances 5G expansion with new spectrum and tower infrastructure reforms

Canada has announced measures to strengthen wireless connectivity, expand 5G infrastructure and accelerate the deployment of next-generation telecommunications technologies.

The government confirmed the rules for a planned 2027 millimetre-wave spectrum auction in the 26 GHz and 38 GHz bands. The auction will make 4.8 GHz of spectrum available to support advanced 5G applications and future 6G technologies. An additional 850 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band will be made available through a future non-competitive licensing process.

The auction framework includes spectrum caps intended to ensure that several operators can access spectrum in each area. It also introduces smaller licensing areas, allowing operators to target spectrum access according to regional and business needs.

Alongside the spectrum measures, the government is proposing reforms to modernise Canada’s wireless tower-siting process. Planned changes include a standardised digital approval process and a publicly accessible online portal for applications and consultations. The reforms are intended to reduce administrative burden, improve transparency and support faster infrastructure deployment.

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly said reliable and affordable connectivity is essential for economic growth, public safety and quality of life. The government said faster and more efficient infrastructure approvals would support competition, innovation and expanded wireless coverage across the country.

Officials also noted that millimetre wave spectrum can carry large amounts of data over short distances, supporting applications such as industrial automation, smart agriculture, private networks and fixed wireless services in rural and remote communities.

Why does it matter?

The announcement shows how 5G and future 6G planning increasingly depend on both spectrum policy and infrastructure deployment rules. By combining new mmWave spectrum with tower-siting reforms, Canada is trying to increase wireless capacity, reduce rollout delays and support data-intensive applications in industry, agriculture, private networks and rural connectivity.

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Meta reportedly cuts 8,000 jobs as AI investment and restructuring accelerate globally

Meta is reportedly cutting about 8,000 jobs globally as part of a restructuring aimed at reducing costs while increasing spending on AI infrastructure and products.

According to media reports, the cuts represent about 10% of Meta’s workforce and are intended, in part, to offset the cost of the company’s expanding AI investments. The reductions are expected to affect engineering and product teams in particular, with employees in several regions notified as the restructuring begins.

Reports also indicate that around 7,000 employees are being reassigned to new AI-focused teams, while thousands of open roles have been closed. The restructuring reflects Meta’s effort to redirect resources towards AI products, infrastructure and agent-based tools across its platforms.

In Ireland, reports said around 350 jobs were affected, representing a significant share of Meta’s local workforce. The company has not publicly confirmed all regional figures, but said affected employees and authorities had been notified.

The cuts come as Meta prepares for a major increase in AI-related capital expenditure. Reports say the company expects spending to rise sharply in 2026 as it builds infrastructure for AI models, personalised assistants and other AI-powered features across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its wider product ecosystem.

Staff concerns have also emerged around the pace of restructuring, internal communication and workplace monitoring linked to AI development. Reports cited employee unease over plans to monitor computer activity as part of AI training practices.

Why does it matter?

Meta’s restructuring shows how major technology companies are reallocating labour and capital around AI. The reported job cuts are not only a cost-saving exercise, but part of a wider shift in which companies are redirecting resources towards AI infrastructure, automation and agentic systems. The development also highlights a growing tension in the tech sector: AI is being presented as a long-term growth engine, while workers face uncertainty over how that transition will reshape roles, teams and investment priorities.

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DIGITALEUROPE urges stronger EU-US digital cooperation

DIGITALEUROPE has called for the rapid implementation of the EU-US trade deal and the launch of a broader transatlantic digital dialogue. The organisation said commitments under the Turnberry Agreement should be implemented to provide greater predictability for businesses.

DIGITALEUROPE said progress on implementing legislation is important for timely adoption of the agreement. The organisation also highlighted the importance of cooperation on digital resilience and competitiveness between the EU and the United States.

According to DIGITALEUROPE, the proposed EU-US Digital Dialogue could address areas including critical technologies, cybersecurity, secure connectivity, and energy technologies. The organisation said industry participation would support cooperation and transatlantic coordination.

DIGITALEUROPE also called for progress on a Cyber Mutual Recognition Agreement between the EU and the US. The statement reflects ongoing efforts to reinforce digital collaboration between Europe and the US.

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