France ranks last in a new global index measuring artificial intelligence adoption in government, with nearly half of its public servants reporting that they have never used AI at work, despite substantial government investment in the technology.

The Public Sector AI Adoption Index 2026, released on Monday by Public First for the Center for Data Innovation with support from Google, surveyed 3,335 civil servants across 10 countries, including the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, India, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. The study highlights a gap between ambitious AI strategies and actual implementation in European governments.

According to the index, 74 percent of French public servants said AI cannot perform any part of their work, and about 45 percent reported never using AI on the job. Only 27 percent noted that their organisations had invested in AI tools, and many said guidance from leadership on AI use was unclear.

“While France positions AI as a strategic tool for competitiveness and modernisation, without hands-on experience, its value remains abstract for many workers,” the report stated. Researchers warned that 70 percent of employees who actively use AI in organisations with limited guidance are doing so in “shadow” mode, meaning they operate AI tools without informing their employers.

Across Europe, adoption of AI in public services remains cautious. Germany and France were grouped as risk-averse countries, where AI is limited to specialists and pilot projects. The United Kingdom showed more progress, with 37 percent of public servants receiving AI training, but adoption remains uneven across departments and access to approved tools is limited.

By contrast, countries such as Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and India led the index. Public servants in these countries report widespread, everyday use of AI in government work, supported by clear leadership guidance and training programmes. Globally, 74 percent of public servants now use AI, and 80 percent say it empowers them, but only 18 percent believe their governments are using AI very effectively.

The survey assessed adoption across five areas: attitudes toward AI, confidence in using it, access to approved tools, integration of AI in daily work, and access to training. Experts said these factors determine whether governments can translate ambitious AI strategies into tangible improvements in public services.

“Many governments have ambitious plans for AI in the public sector, but some are creating better conditions for real‑world use than others,” said Rachel Wolf, CEO of Public First. “Our research shows who is succeeding and where improvement is needed. This matters because effective AI enables better public services, stronger outcomes for citizens, and more resilient public institutions.”

The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of France’s AI initiatives, which have included significant investment in infrastructure and ethical frameworks aimed at guiding responsible AI deployment in government. Analysts said closing the gap between strategy and practical use will be critical for the country to realise the benefits of AI for public services.

The European Commission has found that TikTok has not sufficiently limited addictive features such as infinite scroll, which encourages compulsive behaviour, according to preliminary findings released on Friday.

The regulator said the popular video-sharing app relies on features that continuously feed users new content, putting their brains on “autopilot” and prompting repeated scrolling. The Commission concluded that these design elements breach Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and fail to adequately protect users, particularly children and teenagers.

Henna Virkkunen, European Commission executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, stressed the risks of social media addiction. “Social media addiction can have detrimental effects on the developing minds of children and teens,” she said. “The Digital Services Act makes platforms responsible for the effects they can have on their users. In Europe, we enforce our legislation to protect our children and our citizens online.”

The Commission highlighted that TikTok’s Daily Screen Time feature, which automatically sets a one-hour limit for users aged 13 to 17, is ineffective because warnings are “easy to dismiss.” Regulators also raised concerns over parental controls, including the Family Pairing tool, which allows parents to manage screen time, monitor activity, and restrict content. The Commission said these tools are not successful because they demand additional effort and skills from parents.

To comply with the DSA, TikTok will need to “change the basic design of its service,” the Commission said. Proposed measures include disabling infinite scroll, implementing more effective screen time breaks, and modifying video recommendations to reduce compulsive use.

TikTok responded to the preliminary findings in a statement to Euronews Next, calling them “categorically false and entirely meritless.” The company said it plans to challenge the findings through all available channels and noted that it offers a variety of tools to help users manage screen time, including sleep hours and well-being missions that reward users for following limits.

The investigation, launched in 2024, examines whether TikTok meets the requirements of the DSA, which obliges online platforms to manage risks, moderate content, and promote transparency. The Commission reviewed TikTok’s internal risk assessments, company data, and research on behavioural addiction.

This probe follows previous DSA inquiries, including one last October that found TikTok and Meta had made it difficult for researchers to access public data. Another investigation into TikTok’s advertising practices has already concluded.

The current findings are preliminary, and no fines or penalties have been imposed. TikTok has the right to respond in writing and propose solutions. The Commission will also consult the European Board for Digital Services before potentially issuing a non-compliance decision, which could carry fines of up to six percent of the company’s global annual turnover.

In the DSA investigation, TikTok has committed to posting the full content of all ads on its platform to an online repository updated every 24 hours, as part of efforts to improve transparency and user protection.

Women working in finance and technology sectors could face a higher risk of job losses due to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation than their male colleagues, according to a new report by the City of London Corporation. The study highlights concerns that AI-driven changes may disproportionately affect women in administrative and mid-level roles.

The report estimates that around 119,000 administrative positions in the UK’s financial, professional services, and tech sectors—jobs largely held by women—could be eliminated over the next decade as automation becomes more widespread. Women in high-income countries appear particularly vulnerable. A May 2025 report by the United Nations’ International Labour Organization and Poland’s National Research Institute (NASK) found that nearly 10 percent of female-dominated roles in these countries could be replaced by automation, compared with just 3.5 percent of male-dominated positions.

The City of London Corporation also noted that mid-career women, defined as those with at least five years of experience, are increasingly overlooked for digital roles in tech and finance. Automated hiring software often fails to account for career gaps due to childcare or other caring responsibilities, creating barriers for women seeking advancement in these industries.

The lack of career progression and recognition has led to high attrition rates. The report estimates that up to 60,000 women leave tech jobs annually in the UK due to limited opportunities and unequal pay. This trend persists despite a persistent shortage of skilled workers in Europe, where between 500,000 and 800,000 tech roles remain unfilled each year, according to salary benchmarking website TalentUp.io. Analysts expect this talent gap to continue until at least 2035.

The report highlights the growing need for reskilling initiatives to help women adapt to automation-driven shifts. Employers are urged to prioritise retraining female employees in clerical and administrative positions most at risk, ensuring they can transition into higher-value digital roles. In the UK, reskilling could save companies up to £757 million (€876.9 million) in redundancy payments, the report suggests.

Workers across Europe are already expressing concern about AI’s impact on employment. Research from agency Verian indicates that between 42 and 66 percent of employees worry AI could negatively affect their jobs.

The City of London Corporation stresses that proactive measures are required to prevent automation from widening gender disparities in the workforce. Without targeted reskilling and inclusive hiring practices, the report warns, women in tech and finance may face long-term setbacks, while businesses risk losing valuable talent in sectors experiencing acute labour shortages.

By linking automation risk with gender inequity, the report calls attention to the need for policy and corporate strategies that protect and develop female talent as AI reshapes the workforce.