site.btaBulgaria at European Average in Use of Generative AI, New Alpha Research Survey Finds

Bulgarian society is at the mid-European level in terms of generative AI application usage, according to a nationally representative survey conducted by Alpha Research. The study, carried out between July 7 and 14, 2025, among 1,000 adult citizens across the country via standardized face-to-face interviews, shows that 44% of adult Bulgarians use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and others, while 56% still do not. However, usage remains relatively limited in frequency – some 13% use such tools actively, while 31% use them occasionally.

As in other countries, AI adoption in Bulgaria reveals a significant generational and educational divide. The younger and more educated the individual, the more likely they are to turn to AI. One in three Bulgarians aged 18–29 reports active use of AI applications, while 81% of the oldest generation have never interacted with such tools. For middle-aged groups, generative AI is familiar but not yet part of everyday life. Educational background further sharpens the contrast: 62% of university graduates use generative AI, compared to only 21% of those with lower levels of education.

Although Bulgarians are on par with the European average in terms of AI application usage, the survey highlights a lag in the purposes for which AI is used. Across Europe, AI tools are commonly utilized for both personal interests (such as information gathering and entertainment) and professional or academic tasks. In contrast, Bulgarian users are twice as likely to turn to generative AI for personal reasons (36%) than for enhancing productivity at work or in education (18%) – a trend consistent across all demographic groups, including the youngest and most highly educated.

This limited usage and imbalance in application purposes shape the public's mixed attitude toward AI. Currently, there is a near-even split in public opinion, with a slight tilt toward optimism. A total of 36% believe that generative AI will benefit humanity by accelerating progress in science, medicine, and other key fields. These views are mostly held by the most active users – university graduates and people aged 18 to 39. Meanwhile, nearly 32% express concern that AI poses a threat to humanity, a sentiment most commonly shared by non-users, especially the elderly and less-educated populations.

According to Alpha Research, the hopes and fears surrounding AI in Bulgaria are part of a broader historical pattern of society's mixed reactions to major technological innovations. Many past breakthroughs were initially met with scepticism, and only real-world experience proved their value. It is likely that public perception of AI in Bulgaria will evolve along a similar path.

In countries where AI usage is more widespread, optimism and recognition of its benefits clearly outweigh existential concerns. This suggests that as adoption deepens, broader and more transformative applications of AI can be expected in all sectors of society in the coming years.