8 out of 10 Limburg-based companies use AI

Limburg-based companies have fully embraced AI. No fewer than 83 per cent currently use at least one AI application. This puts Limburg-based companies at virtually the same level as recent figures for Belgian SMEs. AI for text processing is by far the most popular, followed by image generation and sales support. A majority of companies also have a paid account. Innovation is also well established, although 63 per cent do not have a defined innovation strategy.

These striking results come from a recent survey by POM Limburg, in collaboration with the research agency DataSynergy. More than 400 Limburg-based companies were surveyed on how they approach innovation and digitalisation.

That 83 per cent figure is slightly higher than the Flemish and Belgian benchmark figures. According to the Flemish AI Barometer by ECOOM/WEWIS, in 2025, 59 per cent of Flemish companies with at least five employees were using at least one AI technology – almost double the figure from 2023. Since then, usage has risen further: according to the SME Barometer by software developer Exact, 81 per cent of Belgian SMEs were already using AI by early 2026, compared with 39 per cent a year earlier. The figures are not entirely comparable, as the survey questions, target group and measurement period differ, and AI usage is growing rapidly. Nevertheless, they show that companies in Limburg are certainly not lagging behind.

Writing, summarising, translating or proofreading texts is by far the most common use of AI in Limburg-based companies. Three in four companies state that they use ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot or other AI tools for this purpose. Of these companies, 62 per cent have a paid account. This is relatively low compared with other applications. For example, half of Limburg’s companies use AI for the creation of images, visuals or graphic designs. Of these, as many as 78 per cent have a paid account. AI is primarily used as a tool for day-to-day work, such as image and content creation. Its use for process automation remains more limited, as is the case in the rest of Flanders, according to the Flemish AI Barometer.

Enhancing staff capabilities
Most companies (54%) state that AI primarily enhances staff skills. In addition, a third of companies report that AI leads to lower operational costs and a better customer experience. The impact of AI on staffing requirements is rather limited: 10 per cent say they need fewer staff, whilst 4 per cent need slightly more. The Flemish AI Barometer also sees little impact on employment for the time being, but does note clear productivity gains. A quarter of companies in Limburg do not yet have a clear picture of the impact of AI on their business. Non-users are mainly held back by uncertainty about the relevance of AI, a lack of priority and insufficient time or knowledge. In Flanders, too, a lack of knowledge and the difficulty in assessing potential applications are the biggest barriers. Cost is a stumbling block for only a small minority.

Tom Vandeput, Provincial Executive Member for the Economy and Chair of POM Limburg: “AI is advancing rapidly, and Limburg-based companies are embracing it in droves. Many companies report that AI enhances the capabilities of their staff. The next step is to link individual applications with a well-thought-out approach and clear objectives for the business.”

Innovation is widespread
The POM Limburg survey yielded further fascinating insights. For instance, it appears that 9 out of 10 Limburg-based companies were engaged in at least one form of innovation in 2025, in the broadest sense of the word. By way of comparison: according to the most recent European Innovation Survey (CIS), 80 per cent of Flemish companies with at least ten employees were actively innovating during the period 2022–2024, although that survey uses a stricter definition and several years have now passed since then. Half of Limburg’s businesses revamped internal processes and/or increased digitalisation and automation within their organisations. A further 30 per cent were working on these areas. In addition, just over a quarter of Limburg companies launched a new product or service onto the market in 2025. Innovation tends to be approached pragmatically, as 63 per cent of Limburg companies do not have a fixed innovation strategy and only 7 per cent have a separate innovation budget. Among companies with ten or more employees, this figure rises to 18 per cent.

POM chairman Tom Vandeput: “Almost two-thirds of innovative companies want to work more efficiently. The results are tangible: a third of companies with product or service innovations report immediate turnover growth, whilst almost half of those with process improvements report time savings or higher productivity.”

Online sales
POM Limburg also surveyed the digital presence of Limburg-based businesses. Nine out of ten have their own website and just over seven out of ten have a social media presence. This is in line with the situation in Flanders: according to Statbel, nine out of ten Flemish businesses with at least ten employees have a website and four out of five use social media. Furthermore, it appears that 15 per cent of Limburg-based companies have their own app. In 2023, the figure for Flanders was 9 per cent. Digital presence is often limited to brand awareness and providing information, but a significant proportion of companies go a step further. As many as 39 per cent of Limburg-based companies sell their products and services online. According to the FPS Economy, one in three companies in Belgium with at least ten employees sells via digital channels. Limburg businesses that sell online generate, on average, 34 per cent of their turnover from e-commerce.

Provincial Executive Member and POM Chair Tom Vandeput: “AI is being embraced, innovation is widespread and digital applications are finding their way into business. The key now is to deploy these strengths more strategically. Companies are primarily seeking funding, guidance and expertise. We are focusing our efforts on this, so that businesses can demonstrably grow stronger as a result.”