67% of Spanish SMEs trust Artificial Intelligence (AI) more than a year ago. However, Spain also stands out for being the country where IT managers show the greatest skepticism. 24% still doubt the benefits that AI can bring to their organizations, a figure higher than that of other European markets such as the Netherlands (12%), France (14%), Germany (18%) or the United Kingdom (20%).
These conclusions are part of a study prepared by Sharp Europe based on a survey of more than 2,500 technology managers of SMEs in ten European countries.
According to the study, 39% of professionals surveyed in our country attribute their skepticism to a lack of confidence in the results generated by AI. In addition, more than a third (38%) indicate that ethical doubts persist, such as the fear that the use of this technology will be interpreted as “cheating” or as a way to reduce human effort. Added to this is that 31% detect concern among their employees about the lack of technological skills necessary to take advantage of it, especially in SMEs that are still in the early stages of digitalization.
Despite these doubts, in an increasingly uncertain economic context, the integration of AI is no longer an option but is becoming an essential strategic element for 57% of SMEs in our country. Furthermore, for 56%, adopting this technology is already a necessary condition to keep up with the competition, especially among SMEs seeking to strengthen their position in the market.
As a result, more than half (55%) say they have incorporated AI into their business processes and 50% believe that its use will open new opportunities for employees to develop technological skills, something especially relevant for SMEs with small workforces.
In this sense, the survey also reveals that many Spanish SMEs are already adopting concrete measures to advance the use of AI: 42% have trained their staff in the use of tools based on this technology, 40% have reinforced the security of their data to facilitate its integration and 38% have invested in new licenses that allow continued and secure use. A growing number of SMEs are also seeking external advice to better understand the risks and opportunities of AI.
How to adopt AI quickly and effectively
However, these efforts do not eliminate all doubts. In fact, 48% of IT managers in our country, ten points above the European average, recognize that they need clearer guidance on how to adopt and use AI efficiently and safely, in order to avoid bad practices and reduce the uncertainty associated with its implementation in the work environment, especially in SMEs with more limited resources.
According to Roland Singer, vice president of IT Services at Sharp Europe, “AI is transforming the way SMEs work, compete and grow. It is no longer a question of whether to adopt it, but how to do it quickly, efficiently and responsibly. Those companies capable of balancing innovation and security will be the ones that lead the way in the future.”
Sharp Europe helps companies integrate AI safely through personalized advice on key issues such as data protection, creation of corporate policies and employee training to ensure responsible and effective use, a service especially valued by SMEs that need specialized support.
To this end, Sharp has presented its “One Sharp” Digital Experience brand proposal, which unifies its offer of document management and printing, audiovisual solutions and services for the modern workplace, including the cloud, business applications and cybersecurity.
Integration and consolidation
Under this new identity, the company integrates Sharp Display Solutions Europe (SDSE) into the Sharp Electronics Europe (SEE) offering, allowing it to present itself to the market with a comprehensive and cohesive technological proposal.
“AI is transforming the way SMEs work, compete and grow,” said Roland Singer, vice president of IT Services at Sharp Europe.
With more than a century of experience in innovation, the company also inaugurates a new stage in customer-focused IT services. This proposal integrates a complete offer of solutions in cybersecurity and digital transformation, reinforced by the incorporation of ITpoint, a leading provider of managed services, and Apsia, a specialist in the integration of business applications in the cloud.
According to Joe Tomota, president of Sharp Europe, “this business consolidation and brand repositioning is representative of the direction we are taking: bringing together Sharp’s expertise in IT services, document and printing solutions, audiovisual technology and solutions for the work environment under a single and cohesive identity.”
