Measuring the adoption of digital technology in France requires moving beyond announcement speeches to look at actual usage data. With the spread of generative AI among the population, the evolving European regulatory framework, and the decisions made by French companies, the trends in digital technology for 2024 paint a picture where adoption figures sometimes contradict common perceptions.
Adoption of Generative AI in France: The Data That Matters
The Digital Barometer, led by Arcep, Arcom, CGE, and ANCT, provides the most reliable snapshot of the digital usage of the French population. The published results show a clear acceleration in generative AI usage: 48% of French people aged 12 and older report using generative AI, compared to 20% in 2023.
Among 18-24 year-olds, this rate reaches 85% reported usage. ChatGPT alone accounts for about 63% of generative AI usage in France, according to a summary from Agence-Geo. It is no longer a niche phenomenon reserved for digital professionals.
On the business side, the Hiscox x OpinionWay barometer indicates that 67% of French companies with at least 20 employees report using generative AI. The shift to majority usage occurred rapidly, within just a few quarters. News related to these transformations is regularly covered on infos-net.com, which tracks the evolution of technologies and digital trends over time.
| Indicator | 2023 | 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI usage (population 12 years and older) | 20% | 48% |
| Generative AI usage (18-24 years) | Not available | 85% |
| Companies (20+ employees) using generative AI | Not available | 67% |
| Share of ChatGPT in AI usage in France | Not available | ~63% |
European AI Regulation: A Timeline That Affects Businesses
The European AI Act, which is being gradually implemented, constitutes the world’s first binding regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. The prohibitions on systems with unacceptable risk (social scoring, subliminal manipulation) are the first to apply.
However, the heaviest obligations, those concerning so-called “high-risk” AI systems, have seen their deadlines pushed back to 2027-2028. This delay changes the game for French and European companies that were preparing for compliance.
The concrete implications of this timeline deserve to be detailed:
- Providers of general-purpose AI models (such as large language models) must document their training processes and comply with European copyright law from the initial phases of application.
- AI systems used in recruitment, credit scoring, or justice remain classified as “high risk,” but companies have several additional years to comply with technical requirements.
- The French CNIL positions itself as the reference authority on personal data issues related to AI, in addition to the future national supervisory authorities planned by the regulation.
This postponement of deadlines creates a period of regulatory uncertainty. Companies that invested early in compliance have an advantage, but those that were waiting for a firm deadline to act are gaining time.
Digital Usage Among the French: Smartphone, Internet, and Persistent Divides
The Digital Barometer confirms that the smartphone remains the primary device for accessing the internet for the majority of the French population. The share of French people who connect daily continues to grow across all age groups.
The relationship with digital technology remains ambivalent. The data from the Barometer reveals a tension between intensive connectivity and a desire to disconnect, particularly pronounced among the most active users. This digital fatigue does not hinder the adoption of new online services, but it changes how the French manage their screen time.
On the environmental front, French users express a growing sensitivity to the ecological footprint of digital technology, yet they do not significantly change their purchasing behaviors regarding smartphones or equipment. The trade-off between economic cost and ecological impact still heavily favors price, according to the Barometer’s findings.
Digital Divide and Illiteracy
The data from the Barometer shows that the digital divide is not limited to internet access alone. A portion of the population continues to struggle with online administrative procedures, dematerialized banking services, and digital health tools.
Public services and local authorities continue to deploy support mechanisms, but the gap between the usage of 18-24 year-olds and those over 65 remains very pronounced. The generalization of generative AI risks widening this gap if tools are not designed with accessible interfaces.
Digital Transformation of Businesses: Beyond AI
Generative AI captures media attention, but the digital transformation of French companies is not limited to this single topic. Investments in cybersecurity, migration to sovereign cloud infrastructures, and adaptation to European data regulations are mobilizing considerable budgets.
The issue of European cloud sovereignty remains a point of tension. American cloud offerings dominate the market, and European alternatives struggle to reach a comparable scale, despite regulatory incentives and public funding.
Companies must also contend with the shortage of digital skills. Recruiting specialized profiles in data, AI, and cybersecurity remains a structural challenge that slows the pace of adoption of new technologies.
The trends in digital technology for 2024 can therefore be viewed through two lenses: that of public adoption, where generative AI is progressing at a pace rarely seen for a technology, and that of businesses, where regulatory constraints and a lack of talent temper enthusiasm. The increase from 20% to 48% of generative AI users in less than two years remains the most significant figure of this period.
