AI and Emerging Technologies in the European Public Sector (2025): Evidence from the PSTW Case Collection

The geographic distribution of emerging technology adoption in the European public sector shows marked differences across areas. When considering the full set of initiatives, Western Europe registers the highest concentration of emerging technology adoption in the public sector (32%), followed by Southern Europe (30%), and Northern Europe (28%). On the contrary, Eastern Europe shows the lowest concentration (6%) [1]. The chart also displays the percentage of cases implemented at the EU level, showing a low distribution rate (4%).

In 2025, the highest concentration of emerging technology adoption in the public sector is recorded in Southern Europe (42%),  given the high collection of cases in Italy and Spain. Eastern Europe shows the lowest concentration (9%), but with an increasing number of solutions emerging in those countries. At the EU level, only 1% of cases have been implemented.

Across the public sector, the majority of emerging technology initiatives are led by central and local governments, which together account for 65% of all cases (34% and 31%, respectively). Academic and research institutions contribute 12%, while regional governments and consortia (formal partnerships of multiple organisations that join forces – organisational, financial – to deliver a specific project together) each represent 7% of initiatives. The remaining cases for public administrations belong to private sector companies delivering services of public value (4%),  European agencies and institutions (3%), and non-governmental organisations (2%). This distribution highlights the central role of government entities in shaping and implementing new technologies, supported by research institutions and collaborative partnerships.

In 2025, the adoption of emerging technologies in the public sector mapped through PSTW is still largely driven by central and local governments, which respectively account for 37% and 33% of observed initiatives. Academic and research institutions contribute 10%, while regional governments are responsible for 8% of cases. Consortia and the private sector represent smaller shares at 5% and 3%, respectively, with non-governmental organisations and European institutions/agencies each accounting for 2%. The 2025 data reaffirm that government entities continue to lead emerging technology initiatives, highlighting the critical role of sustained governmental effort in driving innovation and shaping the technological landscape. 

Innovation in the public sector is increasingly translating into tangible outcomes across a wide range of policy areas. General public services lead with 32% of overall cases, reflecting the sector’s priority on improving citizen-facing services. Economic affairs follow with 20%, public order and safety with 12% and health with 11%. Finally, social protection and environmental protection each account for 7%, followed by education (5%), and recreation, culture, religion, and housing and community amenities (3% each). 

Observing data from 2025,  general public services continue to hold the largest share of innovation initiatives accounting for 47% of cases. This confirms a sustained trend seen across all years, where general public services consistently lead among categories, reflecting the public sector’s ongoing focus on strengthening core administrative capacity and improving interactions with citizens and businesses. In fact, general public services regard the core functions of public administration and the provision of services to citizens and businesses, including internal government operations, access to public services, legislative and regulatory processes, public finance and procurement, and local administrative functions.