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Austria between AI euphoria and skepticism – GenZ is driving change forward - 03.03.2026
Artificial intelligence has arrived in the mainstream, but the gap between generations is wide. This is shown by the latest results of the Internet Compass survey conducted by web host world4you based on a representative study in collaboration with YouGov. While more than half of Austrians (53 percent) have already tried generative AI, a closer look reveals a divided picture: Gen Z is forging ahead, while older generations and the working world are still hesitant.
Digital two-tier society and mixed feelings
Austrians are generally optimistic about the digital future, although there are significant differences: 37 percent have a positive attitude toward AI, while only a quarter (26 percent) have a rather negative view of it. It is striking that there seems to be a high level of uncertainty in comparison, as more than a third of respondents (35 percent) are neutral on the subject. A closer look also reveals massive demographic differences: AI is clearly a topic of interest to younger people. 77 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds have already used generative AI, and 55 percent of this group view the technology positively. This stands in stark contrast to the 55+ generation, where usage is only about half as high (36 percent) and positive attitudes also drop to about half (26 percent). There is also a discrepancy in the assessment between the sexes – men are significantly more positive (43 percent) than women (31 percent). However, it is encouraging to note that curiosity about generative AI is ultimately gender-neutral: when it comes to actual use, men (56 percent) and women (50 percent) are almost neck and neck.
From toy to tool: there is still a long way to go
Despite the high level of enthusiasm for experimentation, AI has not yet established itself as an everyday tool. Only nine percent of respondents use the technology regularly. A large proportion (45 percent) have so far “only tried AI a little and not used it further.” The low professional relevance is surprising: Only three percent use AI primarily at work, while 13 percent use it privately. Those who reject the technology entirely do so primarily because of a lack of understanding or trust: Almost half of non-users (48 percent) simply see no need for it, 32 percent do not know what to use AI for specifically, and one-third (33 percent) say they fundamentally distrust the technology.
"The results clearly show that Austrians' curiosity has been piqued, but the ‘spark of practical application’ is still slow to catch on. Many currently still see AI as an interesting gimmick rather than a real problem solver. Our task as a technology industry is now to move from hype to application, to demonstrate concrete use cases, and to integrate them into existing workflows and processes in order to build trust. Then ‘trying it out’ will increasingly become a real added value for everyday digital life and Austria as a business location," says Sandra Trummer-Gabler, Managing Director of world4you.
About the survey
For the world4you Internet Compass, a total of 2,005 people were surveyed online in September 2025 by the market research company YouGov. The survey was quota-adjusted according to age, gender, and region, and the results were then weighted accordingly. The survey is representative of the Austrian population aged 18 and over.
Austrians are generally optimistic about the digital future, although there are significant differences: 37 percent have a positive attitude toward AI, while only a quarter (26 percent) have a rather negative view of it. It is striking that there seems to be a high level of uncertainty in comparison, as more than a third of respondents (35 percent) are neutral on the subject. A closer look also reveals massive demographic differences: AI is clearly a topic of interest to younger people. 77 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds have already used generative AI, and 55 percent of this group view the technology positively. This stands in stark contrast to the 55+ generation, where usage is only about half as high (36 percent) and positive attitudes also drop to about half (26 percent). There is also a discrepancy in the assessment between the sexes – men are significantly more positive (43 percent) than women (31 percent). However, it is encouraging to note that curiosity about generative AI is ultimately gender-neutral: when it comes to actual use, men (56 percent) and women (50 percent) are almost neck and neck.
From toy to tool: there is still a long way to go
Despite the high level of enthusiasm for experimentation, AI has not yet established itself as an everyday tool. Only nine percent of respondents use the technology regularly. A large proportion (45 percent) have so far “only tried AI a little and not used it further.” The low professional relevance is surprising: Only three percent use AI primarily at work, while 13 percent use it privately. Those who reject the technology entirely do so primarily because of a lack of understanding or trust: Almost half of non-users (48 percent) simply see no need for it, 32 percent do not know what to use AI for specifically, and one-third (33 percent) say they fundamentally distrust the technology.
"The results clearly show that Austrians' curiosity has been piqued, but the ‘spark of practical application’ is still slow to catch on. Many currently still see AI as an interesting gimmick rather than a real problem solver. Our task as a technology industry is now to move from hype to application, to demonstrate concrete use cases, and to integrate them into existing workflows and processes in order to build trust. Then ‘trying it out’ will increasingly become a real added value for everyday digital life and Austria as a business location," says Sandra Trummer-Gabler, Managing Director of world4you.
About the survey
For the world4you Internet Compass, a total of 2,005 people were surveyed online in September 2025 by the market research company YouGov. The survey was quota-adjusted according to age, gender, and region, and the results were then weighted accordingly. The survey is representative of the Austrian population aged 18 and over.