Latvian market
How Many Latvian Companies Use Artificial Intelligence?
In 2025, at least one AI solution was used by 12.2% of Latvian companies, compared to an EU average of 20%. Among large companies the figure is 47.1%, among medium-sized ones 19.8%, and among small companies just 9.8%. The main reason the rest haven't started isn't price: 63.2% named a lack of competence.
What are the exact figures?
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data from November 2025 show that 12.2% of Latvian companies use at least one AI solution, up 3.4 percentage points from a year earlier. The gap between large and small companies is nearly fivefold.
| Company group | Uses at least one AI solution |
|---|---|
| Large companies | 47.1% |
| Medium companies | 19.8% |
| Small companies | 9.8% |
| Latvia overall | 12.2% |
| EU average (Eurostat, 2025) | 20.0% |
Why isn't the biggest obstacle money?
Among companies that considered AI and still didn't adopt it, 63.2% named a lack of knowledge and skills as the reason. That's more than any other obstacle. In practice it sounds simple: someone has heard that "you need AI," but doesn't know exactly which part of their company's work would benefit from it, or where to start so the money doesn't get wasted on experiments.
That also explains why articles along the lines of "ten AI tools for your business" don't help. The problem isn't a shortage of tools; there are too many of them. The problem is that no one has gone through the company's actual processes and said which of them are repetitive and rule-based, and which require human judgment and should stay with a person.
What do Latvian companies actually do with AI?
The most popular technology is working with text and speech: natural language processing, used by 9.1% of companies. Image, video or audio generation is used by 5.5%. That means most of Latvia's AI use today is correspondence, text and content, not complex analytics or production optimization.
Publicly named examples in Latvia are rare. One of them is Tele2's use of generative AI in customer service, reported by Dienas Bizness. Most companies don't talk publicly about their solutions, so the real picture of use is broader than what's visible.
Does this mean Latvia is falling behind?
There is a gap, but the direction is right. Eurostat data show that AI use among Latvian companies nearly doubled in a year, from 4.53% in 2023 to 8.83% in 2024. The EU average also grew quickly: from 13.5% in 2024 to 20% in 2025. Both are growing, but the EU is growing faster, and the gap isn't narrowing yet.
A note on the figures: there is also a survey in public circulation that puts Latvia at 27%. It uses a different methodology and a different sample, so it can't be compared with Eurostat and CSB data. This post uses official statistics figures, because only those are comparable with the EU average.
Where to start if competence really is lacking?
The sequence that works in a small company is the reverse of what's usually offered: not tool first, then process, but the other way around.
- Write down what repeats. For a week, note the tasks that happen the same way every day. The list will be shorter than you expect, and the answer will already be in it.
- Pick one process that hurts. Not the whole company at once. One process that repeats often and takes a lot of time.
- Check that it already works properly. Automation speeds up what works; it doesn't fix what doesn't. A process that isn't working needs to be sorted out first.
- Decide where the person stays. Wherever a mistake is costly, the final word stays with a person: the system prepares, the person approves.
- Only then choose a tool. The tool is a consequence, not a starting point.
What funding is available for this in Latvia?
Support instruments exist, but their status changes, so check the source before you plan around them.
LIAA's digitalization support program offered grants of up to EUR 10,000 for purchasing digital solutions and up to EUR 200,000 for developing and implementing AI solutions, with 30-50% co-financing. Applications were open from 21 July 2025 to 7 November 2025, and demand exceeded the budget: EUR 25.5 million was requested against EUR 18.55 million available. As of this post's date, no dates for a new round have been announced.
ALTUM's digitalization loans range from EUR 100,000 to EUR 5 million, with a grant element of up to 35% of costs (maximum EUR 200,000); EUR 31 million has been approved for 51 projects. Free consultations on trying out technology are also offered by the European Digital Innovation Hubs in Latvia.
Why we talk about this figure
63.2% of companies stop not at the price, but at the question "where do I even begin." That's exactly why our first AI consultation is free: in 90 minutes we go through 3-5 of your processes and tell you in writing what to automate first, what you don't need at all, and what it would cost. You keep the summary even if you end up working with a different provider.
If you'd like an even lower-commitment start, fill out the free AI opportunity audit: 15 questions, 3-4 minutes, no registration. Or read how business process automation works in practice.
Sources
- CSB data on AI use in Latvian companies, 2025 (LSM) (05.09.2026.)
- Eurostat: AI use in EU companies, 2025 (05.09.2026.)
- LSM English: Latvia's figure doubled (2023-2024) (05.09.2026.)
- LIAA: support for process digitalization and AI solutions (05.09.2026.)
- ALTUM: digitalization loans (05.09.2026.)
- Dienas Bizness on Tele2's generative AI in customer service (05.09.2026.)
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of Latvian companies use artificial intelligence?
In 2025, 12.2%, according to Central Statistical Bureau data. Broken down by size: large companies 47.1%, medium 19.8%, small 9.8%. A year earlier, the overall figure was 3.4 percentage points lower.
How does Latvia compare with the EU?
In 2025, the EU average was 20.0% of companies using AI (Eurostat), versus 12.2% in Latvia. That's roughly half as often. Both figures are growing, but the EU average is growing faster.
Why don't companies in Latvia adopt AI?
The most commonly cited reason among those who considered AI and decided against it is a lack of competence and knowledge: 63.2%. That's a bigger obstacle than cost.
Which AI technologies are used most often in Latvia?
Natural language processing, speech-to-text and text generation, is used by 9.1% of companies. Image, video or audio generation is used by 5.5%.
Is state support available for AI adoption?
LIAA's program offered grants of up to EUR 10,000 for purchasing solutions and up to EUR 200,000 for developing AI solutions, with 30-50% co-financing; the application round closed on 7 November 2025, and dates for a new round haven't been announced yet. ALTUM offers digitalization loans with a grant element of up to 35%. It's always worth checking the current status at liaa.gov.lv and altum.lv.
Where should a small company with no AI specialist start?
With the process, not the tool. For a week, write down what repeats the same way every day, pick one process that happens often and takes a lot of time, and only then look for the technology. If you already have the list, you can talk it through in a free consultation.
Why do different sources give different figures for AI use in Latvia?
Because the methodology and sample differ. There's a survey in public circulation that gives 27%, while official statistics (CSB, Eurostat) give 12.2%. Only official data can be compared with the EU average, because it's collected using a uniform methodology.
If you've stopped at the question of where to start
That's exactly what stops 63.2% of companies. The first 90-minute consultation is free: we go through your processes and tell you in writing what to automate first, what you don't need, and what it would cost.