Microsoft Says Global AI Use Reached 18.8%—With a Wider Gap
The updated estimate shows broad growth and a persistent access divide, but Microsoft telemetry is not a complete census of every AI product or person.
Bottom line
Microsoft's September 21 Global AI Diffusion Report estimates that 18.8% of the world's working-age population used a generative AI product in June 2026, up about one percentage point from the first quarter. It also reports a widening gap: 28.8% in the Global North versus 16.2% in the Global South. The figures are adjusted estimates derived from aggregated Microsoft telemetry—not a census of all AI use.
Editorial accountability
Who checked this guide
- Evaluation type
- Research-based verification
- Last materially checked
- Evidence
- 4 listed sources
Hands-on testing is identified explicitly. Research-based coverage uses cited product documentation and other named sources; it does not imply every paid plan was used. Read the full methodology.
Editorial basis
What this guidance is based on
- Editorial basis
- Source-led analysis
- Primary references
- 4
- Products covered
- 1
- Last checked
- 2026-09-22
Important limits
- • Company telemetry and model claims may not generalize to other populations or workloads.
- • Availability, policy, pricing, and product behavior can change.
In this guide
Short answer
Microsoft's September 21 Global AI Diffusion Report estimates that 18.8% of the world's working-age population used a generative AI product in June 2026, up about one percentage point from the first quarter. It also reports a widening gap: 28.8% in the Global North versus 16.2% in the Global South. The figures are adjusted estimates derived from aggregated Microsoft telemetry—not a census of all AI use.
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What the report found
The UAE and Singapore remained the highest measured markets, South Korea posted the largest absolute quarterly increase, and education represented a larger share of observed Copilot use in the Global South. Microsoft also says open-weight models are taking a growing share of API token volume.
How the measurement works
Microsoft defines diffusion as the share of people ages 15 to 64 who used a generative AI product during the period. It adjusts telemetry for device and operating-system share, internet access, and population. The company plans to broaden coverage as new products and models proliferate.
What the number cannot prove
The measure does not establish daily or productive use, economic benefit, skill, output quality, or equal access inside a country. Microsoft product usage and the adjustment model can undercount or mischaracterize markets where other providers, shared devices, offline tools, or open models dominate.
What readers should do
Use the report to frame access questions, not to declare adoption solved. Measure your own organization by eligible population, active and repeat use, task depth, outcome quality, accessibility, language coverage, cost, and who remains excluded.
Claims were checked against the linked sources on September 22, 2026. Vendor measurements and company announcements are attributed evidence, not independent guarantees.
Sources and verification
Product details and claims were checked against the following primary sources.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of people use generative AI globally?
Microsoft estimates 18.8% of the working-age population used a generative AI product in June 2026 under its methodology.
Which countries led Microsoft's measure?
The update lists the UAE and Singapore at the top of its adjusted diffusion measure.
Is the report a global census?
No. It is an adjusted estimate based on aggregated Microsoft telemetry and does not directly observe every provider or user.
What is the Global North-South AI gap?
Microsoft reports 28.8% measured use in the Global North and 16.2% in the Global South for the quarter.
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