The Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP) joined the AI Focus 2026 study as a communications partner, supporting the dissemination of high-quality analytics on the real state of artificial intelligence adoption in Ukrainian business. For SUP, this is part of its systematic work to shape a strong, well-argued position of entrepreneurs in the public sphere.
The study was conducted by the visual communications agency Top Lead, presented in Forbes Ukraine, and implemented with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
AI Is the New Minimum for Business
Artificial intelligence in Ukraine is no longer an experiment. It is gradually becoming a basic business tool, without which it is difficult to maintain efficiency and competitiveness.
According to a survey of more than 200 Ukrainian companies, 93% already use AI in their operations, and 62% report a positive impact on financial performance and operational processes. This indicates a shift from isolated testing to real business value.
Who Will Scale AI Adoption
The highest level of activity in further expanding AI usage is demonstrated by:
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wholesale and retail trade,
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marketing and PR,
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the financial sector,
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education,
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the services sector.
Overall, 67.2% of companies already use AI and plan to expand this practice, shaping a new market norm.
Key Areas of Application and Risk Zones
The most popular area of AI application is data analysis and forecasting (75.8% of companies). This is followed by marketing, sales, and customer service.
At the same time, security and cybersecurity remain among the least prioritized areas—only 18.4% of companies apply AI in this domain. Against the backdrop of increasing automation, this may create additional risks for businesses.
Implementation Drivers: The Optimization Stage
The study data show that the key driver for AI implementation remains the automation of routine and operational tasks. For 72.5% of companies, this is the main reason for using the technology. Other motivations include improving business process efficiency (71.5%) and optimizing costs and resources (63.8%).
This means that at the current stage, AI more often enhances existing models rather than radically transforming businesses, which is a natural phase of technological maturity.
Who Participated in the Study
The survey involved 207 companies from various sectors of the economy. The most represented industries were:
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IT and telecom — 29%,
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agro-industrial complex — 15%,
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finance and banking — 8.7%,
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wholesale and retail trade — 8.2%,
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marketing and PR — 7.2%,
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education — 6.3%,
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other industries — 25.6%.
More than half of the respondents are small companies with up to 100 employees (52.2%), while medium-sized and large businesses are also represented in the study.
SUP’s Position
For the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs, these results confirm systemic changes in how businesses approach technology. AI is becoming a new minimum standard rather than a competitive advantage “for a select few.”
SUP will continue to support initiatives that help entrepreneurs make data-driven decisions, share practical cases, and shape a responsible vision for the development of Ukraine’s digital economy.
The full version of the study is available on the AI Focus 2026 project landing page by Top Lead.
Submit an application for AI Focus 2026.