Europe 2025

GenAI is now widely used across Europe, with 91% of organizations integrating cloud-based genAI tools into their operations. Most organizations (97%) work with tools that include genAI-powered features and 96% use applications that rely on user data for training. Usage rates in the region are closely aligned with global levels, where 94% of organizations have adopted genAI apps in the cloud.

Meanwhile, the use of personal genAI accounts has dropped noticeably over the past year, falling from 73% to 58%. This decline points to a clear shift toward company-approved genAI solutions that offer more control and better protection for sensitive data. As more businesses move in this direction, European organizations need to keep focusing on secure, enterprise-grade platforms that support innovation while maintaining compliance and reducing risk.

The top 10 genAI apps used by European organizations are similar to global trends, with the following highlights:

• ChatGPT is by far the most widely used genAI app in Europe, in use in 79% of organizations.
• Google Gemini is steadily gaining traction as a leading alternative to ChatGPT.

The remainder of the top 10 is a range of domain-specific and embedded AI tools.

The chart below shows how the popularity of these same 10 apps has shifted over the past year, highlighting how quickly the genAI apps are evolving. Google Gemini’s usage has nearly doubled in 12 months with steady adoption growth.

With genAI apps now widely adopted across Europe and the world, many organizations are turning to data loss prevention (DLP) tools to help manage the growing security risks tied to their use. A significant amount of the sensitive data being shared with genAI platforms includes source code, regulated information, and intellectual property. Indeed, more than a third of the data policy violations for genAI apps in Europe relate to specifically regulated data (data protected by the GDPR and other privacy rules), demonstrating the scale of the data protection risk of AI usage within the region. Organizations risk significant financial repercussions if found to be negligent in managing and handling these types of data.

The high volume of source code exposure isn’t limited to Europe, it mirrors what’s being seen across global organizations. While genAI tools, especially in day-to-day developer workflows, are driving innovation and efficiency, they are also opening up new paths for potential data exposure. To move forward safely, European organizations need to find the right balance between embracing genAI’s benefits and enforcing strong data governance to protect sensitive information.

Even when it comes to personal genAI apps, employees are still actively engaging with them, often in ways that carry real data security risks for their employer. Source code stands out as the most commonly exposed type of sensitive information being shared. This pattern suggests that developers, in particular, are turning to these tools to speed up their work, even if it means using unapproved platforms outside the company’s control. It underscores the need for organizations to set clear boundaries and visibility around how genAI tools are being used even when they are not managed by the company.

A growing number of organizations across Europe are putting DLP policies in place to mitigate the data risks that come with the use of genAI apps. Over the past year, the number of organizations using DLP to monitor and control genAI usage has increased from 26% to 43%. It is a clear sign that businesses are becoming more aware of the risks tied to unmonitored use of these tools and are taking action to protect sensitive information. By rolling out DLP controls, they’re not just reacting; they are getting ahead of a growing problem.

Organizations may block different genAI apps depending on their specific policies, but some tools keep showing up with high block rates across the board. If any apps in the top 10 list below show up in your environment, it is a good reason to take a closer look. It is also a good time to review how you are handling entire categories of genAI apps, not just individual ones. In the European region, Stable Diffusion stands out as the most commonly blocked genAI app, often flagged because of concerns around privacy or licensing issues. Other apps on the list, including AIchatting, notebookLM, Writesonic, and Grok AI, are also frequently blocked, typically in favor of more secure or better-aligned alternatives. As a comparison, ChatGPT is blocked by 9.8% of organizations, and Gemini is blocked by 9.2%.