AI in Business: Productivity Gains & Employee Impact in Spain 2025
Artificial intelligence adoption within Spanish businesses is accelerating, with 21.1% of firms employing more than 10 workers utilizing AI in the first quarter of 2025, nearly doubling the 12.3% recorded in the same period of 2024. The integration of these technologies is particularly pronounced among larger companies, with over 58% having incorporated AI tools into their operations by 2025. Adoption rates vary significantly across industries, ranging from 11.4% in the construction sector to 60.5% in information and communications.
Although the increasing integration of AI is evident, the practical impact on productivity remains a complex issue. An analysis by the Centre for Economic Policy Research indicates a modest productivity increase of 0.29% in firms that have deployed AI over the past three years, though nearly 90% of those firms have not yet detected any measurable improvement. Estimates from EY-Parthenon suggest a potential productivity boost of between 1.5% and 3% over the next decade, with the most significant gains anticipated in the technology, finance, consulting, legal, and accounting sectors.
Employee perceptions offer a more optimistic view. A report from Workday indicates that almost three-quarters of professionals in Spain believe AI enhances their productivity, saving them an average of one to three hours per week on routine tasks. Though, this time savings is partially offset by the need to review and validate AI-generated outputs. The Workday report also highlights a potential emerging issue: “silent burnout” among individuals aged 25 to 35, who are increasingly becoming full-time “AI auditors.”
The intensification of work is a recurring concern. The accelerated pace and increased workload, often self-imposed, can lead to overload, cognitive fatigue, and diminished work quality. A lack of adequate resource reallocation following AI investment is also identified as a potential source of demotivation, with organizations prioritizing workload reduction but not necessarily reinvesting in employee support or latest roles.
In Mexico, a separate trend indicates increased security concerns, with the armored vehicle sector experiencing a surge of 39% in 2025. This growth suggests a heightened perception of risk and a corresponding demand for protective measures within the business community. Meanwhile, in Peru, vehicle traffic flow at the national level grew by 5.1% in December 2025, according to data from INEI, indicating increased economic activity and mobility.
Mexico’s independent agencies are also facing scrutiny, with a reevaluation of their autonomy in governance and policy underway. This assessment, conducted by the Wilson Center, examines the future role of these agencies and their impact on the country’s political landscape.