Despite widespread discussion about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on white-collar jobs, new research from Savills AI and European Offices: Separating Hype from Hiring Reality shows that there is only a weak-moderate negative relationship between the proportion of businesses using AI and office-based employment growth since 2024. Instead, economic growth and business sentiment remain the most significant drivers of office employment across Europe.
In the Czech Republic, business AI adoption stands at approximately 18%, while office-based employment grew at around 2% per annum between 2024 and 2025, above the EU average. This confirms that office-based roles continue to expand even in markets where AI adoption is increasing.
“Current data does not support the idea that artificial intelligence is reducing demand for office-based roles. In the Czech market, we continue to see stable occupier demand from professional services and corporate tenants, particularly in higher-quality office buildings,” says Lenka Pechová, Senior Research Analyst at Savills.
Nordic and Western European markets are the most active AI adopters, but their slower employment growth reflects labour shortages and high-income status rather than AI displacement. At the same time, Southern, Central and Eastern European markets have reported stronger office-based employment growth, supported by a buoyant tourism sector and strong domestic demand, respectively.
Firms investing in AI are more likely to hire, not reduce staff
Survey data from the European Central Bank indicates that companies that make significant use of AI are about 4% more likely to take on additional staff. In other words, AI-intensive firms tend to hire, rather than fire. Firms that invest in AI are nearly 2% more likely to hire additional staff than those that do not.
AI companies continue to expand across Europe
AI companies continue to expand across Europe at an aggressive pace in 2026. Databricks signed for 13,000 sq m in Amsterdam after taking 9 300 sq m in London at the end of 2025. In Dublin, OpenAI is reviewing sites for 9 300 sq m to scale up in the city, while Anthropic has announced plans to expand in Paris and Munich. This continued expansion of technology occupiers supports long-term demand for office space across key European markets.
