Strategic Knowledge Management in the Age of AI
How European organisations are boosting productivity and empowering the next-gen workforce
of business leaders say effective knowledge management is vital for competitive advantage
How AI is redefining knowledge management
Despite near-universal agreement on the importance of effective knowledge management, most European organisations are still operating in disjointed ways. Fragmented systems, disconnected tools, and knowledge silos are stifling productivity and innovation, but AI offers a path forward.
of European business leaders agree having access to reliable knowledge unlocks significant value to their organisation
of Gen Z employees want simpler tools and better transparency, pushing organisations to adapt
Organisations using AI for knowledge management are
more likely to see significant cost savings than those without AI
admit their current knowledge management processes need significant improvement
lack a centralised, structured approach to managing knowledge
The hidden cost of
siloed knowledge
Without a centralised approach to knowledge, teams are missing opportunities to work more efficiently and collaboratively. The result is slower launches, unclear decision-making, and missed opportunities that directly impact the bottom line.
81%
of engineering, product and design decision makers say siloed knowledge delays product launches
87%
of IT decision makers report decreased employee productivity as a result
73%
of European business leaders are struggling with knowledge silos
The productivity cost of software sprawl
The more tools you add, the harder knowledge becomes to manage. Employees waste hours switching between systems and searching for information, with inefficiency compounding as tech stacks grow.
The average number of knowledge management tools used per organisation
say increasing the number of tools reduces employee productivity
working weeks could be lost each year when employees search for information across multiple tools
Unlocking productivity,
time and cost savings with AI
AI-powered knowledge tools are already delivering results.
Organisations that adopt AI see faster decisions, fewer repetitive tasks, and tangible cost savings.
89%
expect or have realised cost savings from AI
46%
expect to see faster decision-making with AI
56%
of organisations are
already using AI to manage knowledge
88%
agree that Gen Z employees are driving demand for AI-powered knowledge management
The strategic shift toward smarter knowledge management
Tackling fragmented knowledge isn’t just a technology upgrade, it requires a strategic shift in how organisations treat and manage information.
European business leaders are increasingly focused on simplifying their tool stack, embedding AI capabilities, and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing.
plan to improve search and retrieval of internal knowledge in the next 12 months
Top features that business leaders seek in a knowledge management platform
Given these challenges and priorities, what specifically should organisations look for in a platform that can effectively centralise, manage, and unlock their knowledge? Our research reveals several key requirements.
About the research
This report is based on a survey of 650 decision makers and executives working in IT, engineering, product and design leadership roles across Europe. All respondents worked in private-sector organisations with 100 or more employees.
Fieldwork was conducted in April-May 2025.
Unlock the full story
Dive deeper into the data and discover how AI is reshaping knowledge management across European organisations—from productivity gains to cultural shifts.
