Press release
OECD-Cisco research finds stark geographical and generational divides in AI uptake and digital well-being
News SummaryEmerging economies, particularly India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, are leading global adoption of generative AI, with younger adults
About this update from Cisco Systems, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"News SummaryEmerging economies, particularly India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, are leading global adoption of generative AI, with younger adults showing the highest usage, trust, and engagement.Significant generational and geographic divides exist, with under-35s far more likely to use and trust AI, while older adults remain less engaged and less certain.High recreational screen time, especially among youth in emerging markets, is linked to decreased well-being, highlighting the need for a balanced focus on digital well-being as AI becomes widespread.SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Generative AI is moving rapidly from novelty to habit. But adoption rates may not tell the full story. Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, partnered with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the Digital Well-being Hub to study the relationship between technology's risks and benefits, and how AI is impacting people's lives. New data from the Hub reveals that, beneath the headlines of youthful enthusiasm for AI, geographic and generational divides are emerging, shaping who benefits from AI, who bears the risks, and how digital life can affect well-being. This research provides Cisco's Digital Impact Office with essential insights that can support its aim to connect millions of people to the digital economy, help close the digital divide, and build a global learning culture through initiatives like Cisco Networking Academy and Country Digital Acceleration programs.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nAI adoption is only part of the storyAccording to the current research, young adults, globally, are voracious consumers of digital content, with under-35s showing the highest use of social media, online devices and active use of GenAI. But the real standouts are people in emerging economies, particularly India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa. They lead AI adoption globally with the highest usage rates, greatest trust levels, and most active engagement in AI training. In contrast, those surveyed in European countries show less trust and more uncertainty around the use of AI. This marks a departure from historical trends where emerging economies are typically slower to access and use new technologies.However, these same populations, in India, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa, report the highest recre...