A comprehensive business survey conducted in Latvia at the end of August 2026 reveals that 44.9% of companies do not consider using artificial intelligence to replace human workers, while 26.1% are willing to transfer tasks to AI if the technology develops sufficiently to fully perform human duties. The study, carried out by business management and accounting system developer Jumis Pro among 176 enterprises of various sizes, highlights a sharp divide in how small and large businesses approach automation.
Among all surveyed businesses, 16.5% of respondents stated they would resort to intelligent digital solutions only as a last resort. This occurs if a company cannot find a suitable employee or cannot afford to hire a necessary specialist. Meanwhile, every twentieth company has already made the choice in favor of technology, eliminating certain staff positions and shifting that work to artificial intelligence tools.
Small Enterprises Drive AI Adoption to Cut Labor Costs
Small businesses in Latvia show the greatest openness to implementing artificial intelligence tools. According to Jumis Pro head Viesturs Slaidinsh, small enterprises explore AI capabilities most actively because labor costs constitute a significant part of their expenses. Saving where possible helps these firms enhance their competitiveness, especially since software subscriptions cost significantly less than full-time salaries. In companies with five to ten employees, 8% have already replaced at least one worker with AI, and another 35% stand ready to adopt the tech once it handles full duties. About a third of small business representatives categorically reject the possibility.
Did You Know? The study conducted at the end of August 2026 surveyed exactly 176 large, medium, and small enterprises across Latvia to measure corporate readiness for workplace automation.
Larger Firms Resist Automation While Medium Businesses Show Moderate Views
A completely different workplace environment exists in larger corporations with more than 50 employees. Data shows that not a single job has been eliminated due to AI implementation in this tier. Only 8% of respondents in large companies consider the possibility of replacing staff with computer programs, while 69% remain categorically against the idea.
Medium-sized companies display a more moderate stance. Among businesses with 11 to 20 employees, 21% would consider AI if it fully replaces workers, and 20% would consider it if they cannot find a suitable specialist, though 55% reject the option. In firms with 21 to 50 employees, 20% would adopt AI for full replacement, 10% for staffing shortages, and 49% reject it entirely. Across both medium-sized groups, 3% of respondents have already transferred a colleague’s responsibilities to artificial intelligence.
Expert Insight: Viesturs Slaidinsh noted that while the question of AI work quality and its capacity to fully substitute human labor remains, enterprises are gradually learning to cope with these challenges as adoption slowly expands among cost-conscious operators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of companies refuse to consider AI replacements?
According to the survey, 44.9% of companies do not even consider using artificial intelligence instead of people.
How many enterprises have already eliminated jobs in favor of AI?
Every twentieth company, or approximately 5% overall, has eliminated staff positions, with AI tools now performing that work.
When was the survey conducted and how many businesses participated?
The study took place at the end of August 2026 and involved 176 large, medium, and small enterprises in Latvia.
How do you think your workplace would handle the integration of digital tools for everyday tasks?
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