AI represents an essential lever for the competitiveness of French VSEs and SMEs. The question is no longer whether they have to adopt it, but how speed can they do it?
Last February, Paris was the scene of a decisive summit on artificial intelligence. Faced with the domination of American and Chinese giants, Europe continues to assert its ambition to become an AI champion. While in a few years, 10 to 13 % of the trades will be profoundly transformed¹, AI is an essential lever for French very small businesses and SMEs. The question is no longer whether they have to adopt this technology, but how speed can they do to stay competitive?
An increase up, but at two speeds
Companies are facing an unprecedented development in the technological landscape. 79 % of VSE and SME leaders consider digital as a key lever, an increase of 3 points compared to 2023². Artificial intelligence in particular, is upsetting all sectors. In Europe, the share of companies using AI systematically jumped 27 % in 2024, from a third in 2023 to 42 % today. In France, this adoption is also accelerating: 29 % of VSEs (1 to 9 employees) now operate AI tools, compared to only 14 % last year, and that is just beginning. On the SME side with at least 100 employees, the increase is even more marked, with an adoption rate going from 28 % in 2023 to 53 % in 2024⁴.
This dynamic testifies to an increasing craze, but also underlines the emergence of a two -speed AI economy, where some companies are taking a step ahead while others are struggling to follow.
AI: productivity, growth and employment engine
The adoption of AI still represents a jump in the unknown for many. About 35 % of companies consider that the cost is a major obstacle⁵. However, this reluctance seems paradoxical: because among those who have already integrated AI, 44 % find an increase in their productivity and more than 90 % note an increase in their income⁶. Contrary to popular belief, AI is no longer the prerogative of large companies or experts in the sector. The skills required to exploit it are now widely accessible. Thanks to training, support for impacted trades, and the use of SaaS solutions (Software as A Service), AI is within the reach of VSEs and SMEs, which can adopt it without requiring advanced technical skills.
Far from threatening employment, AI is a catalyst for economic growth. 65 % of companies believe that it will promote job creation, while only 7 % anticipate job cuts⁷. Its real asset lies in the automation of repetitive tasks, thus releasing time for higher added value missions. It is therefore essential to identify relevant concrete use cases to maximize its added value without altering the customer experience.
Data sovereignty: a major issue
In a global context marked by geopolitical tensions, data protection is a major concern, with 49 % of managers expressing concerns about this. Faced with this growing requirement, France has a strategic asset: local solutions, developed in Europe and in accordance with data sovereignty standards. This highlights the importance for very small businesses and SMEs to digitize and adopt AI based on secure technologies, in accordance with European regulations. These solutions guarantee both optimal data protection and impeccable quality of service, allowing companies to strengthen their competitiveness while ensuring the safety of their information.
Far from being a technology of the future, AI already shapes our daily lives and transforms the business world. However, its adoption remains timid: only 9 % of the investments of French VSEs/SMEs concerned AI, and barely 2 % were the subject of a regular commitment⁸. This delay highlights the gap between the punctual use of generative AI tools and the integration of dedicated strategies. If Europe aspires to become an AI leader, it must redouble their efforts to support the various actors in this transition. A framework conducive to innovation, an increased support for VSEs and SMEs, and an ambitious policy are essential to promote its large -scale adoption.
