Artificial Intelligence (AI) can become one of the most powerful engines of growth for Romania and is increasingly emerging as a strategic tool for the economy, public administration, education and public services, according to specialists from ICDL Romania in an analysis published on Wednesday.
"Romania is at a decisive moment in its digital transformation. Artificial Intelligence is no longer a topic for the future, nor a technology reserved exclusively for IT companies. AI is rapidly becoming a strategic tool for the economy, administration, education and public services (...) The potential is significant, but the study highlights an important distinction: AI adoption does not automatically translate into impact. Globally, many companies have begun using AI, yet only a small proportion have managed to turn these initiatives into meaningful economic results. This is also the key challenge for Romania: moving from testing and isolated use towards integrating AI into the real operations of organisations (...) Romania has important advantages: excellent connectivity, internationally recognised IT specialists, initiatives in emerging technologies and a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2024-2027. However, digital infrastructure alone is not sufficient to ensure competitiveness," the aforementioned source says, agerpres reports.
The latest McKinsey study on AI opportunities in Central Europe, quoted by ICDL Romania, shows that AI could generate between 280 billion euro and 700 billion euro in economic value across the region, equivalent to 6% to 15% of total net turnover.
At the same time, Eurostat data show that in 2025 only 5.21% of Romanian businesses were using AI technologies, compared with the European Union average of 19.95%, placing Romania last in the EU on this indicator.
According to the statistics, nearly one-third (32%) of Romanians aged between 16 and 74 possessed at least basic digital skills, compared with the EU average of 60% and against the European target of 80% by 2030. At the same time, the use of generative AI tools stood at 17.8% in Romania, compared with the European average of 32.7%.
"In recent years, discussions about AI have often focused on tools: chatbots, generative applications, automation, data analysis and virtual assistants. But the real challenge runs deeper. AI can support competitiveness by reducing repetitive tasks, accelerating decision-making, improving customer relations, automating document processing, optimising workflows and developing faster, more user-oriented services. For companies, AI can be used in sales, marketing, customer service, data analysis, cyber security, document management, logistics, manufacturing and administrative processes. For public administration, AI can contribute to faster and more accessible services for citizens. In education, it can support personalised learning and help prepare pupils and students for a labour market already transformed by technology," the experts showed.
As for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Romania faces both a strong need for efficiency and more limited resources for digitalisation.
"For an SME, AI can mean time savings, faster document processing, improved customer communication, more effective marketing campaigns, sales analysis, administrative support and better-informed decision-making. The first step is not necessarily a major technological investment. The first step is identifying the processes where AI can deliver rapid impact and preparing the people who will use these tools safely and effectively," the analysis mentions.
In this context, ICDL Romania stresses that the country needs a practical, results-oriented approach focused on basic digital skills, responsible use of AI, data literacy, cyber security, digital collaboration, critical thinking and an understanding of ethical and legal risks.
ICDL Romania is the national body responsible for coordinating the ICDL (International Certification of Digital Literacy) standard, the world's most widely used digital skills certification programme, formerly known as ECDL
