{"id":70878,"date":"2025-07-30T12:08:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T10:08:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ivsz.hu\/?p=70878"},"modified":"2026-08-06T12:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T10:17:30","slug":"hungarian-smes-in-the-world-of-ai-lagging-behind-in-regional-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ivsz.hu\/en\/research\/hungarian-smes-in-the-world-of-ai-lagging-behind-in-regional-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Hungarian SMEs in the world of AI: lagging behind in regional competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

A survey of 11 Central and Eastern European countries shows that Hungarian SMEs are not at the forefront of the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to their regional competitors. The survey, conducted by the Warsaw-based AI Chamber and surveying over 3,200 companies, paints a worrying picture of the digital readiness of Hungarian SMEs.<\/p>\n

Mediocre results, low awareness<\/h2>\n

According to the survey, which also includes responses from 301 Hungarian companies, only 49% of Hungarian companies assess the business impact of AI positively, placing Hungary in the middle of the region. This is far behind the leading results in Estonia (67%) or the Czech Republic (60%), and even the positive assessment of 70% in neighboring Slovakia.<\/p>\n

Of particular concern is the low level of regulatory awareness: only 27% of Hungarian companies are familiar with the provisions of the EU AI Act, one of the lowest in the region. In comparison, 66% of Czech companies and 52% of Polish companies responded that they were aware of the legislation.<\/p>\n

High barriers, low interest<\/h2>\n

The research also highlights that 50% of Hungarian companies face training barriers in the field of AI \u2013 one of the highest values \u200b\u200bin the region. In addition, 41% of companies are not at all interested in implementing AI, which is also a worrying sign for future competitiveness.<\/p>\n

\u201cHungarian companies need intensive business awareness development and education,\u201d the report\u2019s author states. This is in line with the fact that Hungarian companies also have the lowest audit readiness in the region (40%), while 67% of Polish companies feel prepared to audit legal compliance.<\/p>\n

Cautious attitude, mixed results<\/h2>\n

According to the survey, around half of Hungarian companies see the potential of AI positively, which indicates a cautious but not dismissive attitude. 11% of companies fall into the “AI-neutral” segment, which is among the highest rates, along with the Czech Republic and Slovenia.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, 35% of Hungarian company management positively assesses the impact of the AI \u200b\u200bAct on corporate operations, which places the country in the bottom third of the region. This suggests that they do not necessarily see the regulation as an opportunity for development, but rather as a burden.<\/p>\n

Opportunities, challenges<\/h2>\n

According to the report, the following would be key for Hungarian SMEs:<\/p>\n