The use of artificial intelligence tools by Greek small and medium-sized enterprises has more than tripled in just two years, according to the study “Digital Readiness of SMEs in Greece in 2026”, conducted by the Electronic Commerce Research Lab (ELTRUN) at the Athens University of Economics and Business, in collaboration with Telekom.More specifically, according to findings presented by George Doukidis, professor at the School of Management of the University of Nicosia (UNIC-Athens) and founder of ELTRUN at the Athens University of Economics and Business, at a special event attended by journalists, the share of businesses using AI tools surged to 45% in 2026, from 13% in 2024.
Telephone interviews for the study were conducted from July to September 2026, involving 400 small and medium-sized businesses from across the country and from the main sectors of the economy, all of which had some digital infrastructure. Of these, 45% employed 1–5 people, 24% employed 6–10 and 31% employed 11–50.
How SMEs use artificial intelligence
SMEs’ use of artificial intelligence is focused mainly on generative AI tools, which are used by 42% of businesses, while a further 3% combine them with other AI applications.
Among generative AI users, ChatGPT is the most popular tool, with an 81% share, followed by Google Gemini at 25% and the free Microsoft Copilot Chat at 15%. Meanwhile, six in 10 users rely exclusively on free versions of the tools, 25% use paid versions and 15% use a combination of free and paid versions.
AI applications are focused mainly on content creation and communications. Among businesses using AI, 44% use the technology to create text or other content, 23% for marketing and communications, and 21% to create images or videos. Less common uses include back-office process automation, at 14%; data analysis and decision support, at 13%; and customer service, at 9%.
Despite this, familiarity with artificial intelligence remains limited: 68% of businesses using AI tools say they are little or not at all familiar with the technology.
Barriers to digital transformation
Beyond artificial intelligence, the study records an improvement in the overall digital maturity of Greek SMEs. The SME Digital Readiness Index rose by 9%, with 40% of businesses now placed in its two highest tiers, “Advanced” and “Ideal”. The study follows similar research carried out in 2020, 2022 and 2024.
As for the benefits of using digital technologies, 73% of businesses identify higher productivity as the most significant benefit, followed by increased sales at 62% and lower costs at 54%. The findings also show that digital readiness varies according to the size and sector of businesses.
At the same time, lack of training has emerged as the biggest barrier to adopting new technologies, with the share citing it rising to 47%, from 27% in 2024. This is followed by a lack of information about available technologies and their benefits, at 44%, up from 34%, and limited financial resources, at 42%, down from 44%.
The skills gap is reflected in the fact that just 16% of businesses say they have the necessary knowledge to a great extent, while 76% express interest in taking part in training programmes.
Telekom Grow Your Business–AI Edition
For his part, Thanos Falangas, Director of B2B Marketing, CRM & Channel Management at OTE Group, said that despite the significant increase in the use of artificial intelligence by SMEs, its adoption remains limited to simple tasks, as a lack of knowledge and skills makes it difficult to move on to more complex applications.
“That is why our goal is to make AI more accessible and useful for businesses of every size,” he said.
Mr Falangas noted that the Telekom Grow Your Business programme is entering a new chapter with the launch of Grow Your Business–AI Edition, which builds on an initiative that is evolving in response to the needs of the market and businesses.
The new programme offers free online training in artificial intelligence and is aimed at SMEs, self-employed professionals and employees, whether or not they are Telekom customers.
It comprises nine learning modules and around 23 hours of on-demand educational content, delivered with the participation of academics and experts in artificial intelligence. The courses consist of standalone videos, which participants can watch whenever they want and at their own pace.
The learning modules cover, among other topics, the use of AI tools and prompting, digital marketing, content creation, sales, AI agents, organisation and productivity, strategy and data analysis, and the ethical and responsible use of the technology.