Where Artificial Intelligence Could Create the Most Value in Austria’s Economy

Austria’s industry could gain up to 19.8 billion euros in gross value added from artificial intelligence, according to a new study commissioned by Microsoft Austria. The analysis identifies industry as the sector with the largest potential benefit by a wide margin.

Retail follows with potential gains of up to 9 billion euros. The study also sees significant opportunities in finance and insurance, as well as professional and technical services.

The Economica Institute analysis says academic professions, technicians and skilled trades together represent 58.4% of Austria’s total AI potential. Their possible combined contribution to value creation is about 42 billion euros.

“The results show that Austria’s AI potential is concentrated in a few particularly important levers,” said Christian Helmenstein, head of the Economica Institute and chief economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries. “Standardized applications can enable major efficiency gains, while specialized activities require tailored approaches.”

The study highlights public administration, education, health and social services as areas where targeted AI use could help address labor shortages and demographic change. It builds on a 2024 Economica study that estimated AI could raise Austria’s gross value added by up to 18%, equivalent to about 72 billion euros or up to 2.24 billion hours of work. Austrian companies already use AI more often than the EU average, although current use focuses mainly on text- and language-based applications.

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The results show that Austria’s AI potential is concentrated in a few particularly important levers. Standardized applications can enable major efficiency gains, while specialized activities require tailored approaches.