On May 6, 2025, a survey conducted by Cefora, the sector fund for workers of joint committee 200, revealed that a significant portion of the Belgian workforce remains largely disengaged from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their professional lives. According to the findings published in La Libre Belgique, four in ten Belgians reported that they never use AI in their work, while 25% admitted to having no knowledge of AI whatsoever.
Only a small fraction, about 8%, indicated that they utilize AI on a daily basis. Those who do engage with AI typically employ it for tasks such as translation, research, information synthesis, and writing or correcting texts. Olivier Lambert, a representative from Cefora, pointed out that many workers might be using AI tools without even realizing it. "A Google translation, a spell checker... all of that is already artificial intelligence," he noted.
Cefora, which represents over 500,000 employees and 60,000 companies in Belgium, found that a striking 66% of workers are actively seeking training in AI. The subjects piquing their interest include how AI can enhance productivity, assist in writing texts in different languages, and simply understanding how the technology operates.
In a different sector, Pinterest is making waves with its innovative visual search tools powered by AI, allowing users to find fashion trends and designs through images rather than text. This new feature, which is being rolled out across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, enables users to tap on an image, prompting the platform to generate various keywords that describe the item.
Pinterest's VP of Design, Dana Cho, expressed enthusiasm about the enhanced user experience, stating that this technology exemplifies the evolving way buyers interact with and seek inspiration from the platform. "These improvements will bring ideas to life, especially since it can sometimes be challenging to describe clothing using words like vibe, chill, or laid-back," she said.
The generative AI employed by Pinterest not only shows users what they like in pins but also utilizes visual language models (VLMS) to create concise and clear descriptions of images. This multimodal integration, akin to Google's multimodal search, helps narrow down user queries by generating precise keywords.
As Pinterest faces rising competition from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where algorithmic discovery has become a key driver of engagement, the company is doubling down on its strengths. The introduction of a new refinement bar allows users to search for alternatives in different colors, styles, and occasions. For instance, if a user finds a casual skirt they like but needs a more formal option, they can use the "Occasion" filter to explore similar styles suitable for the office.
In the near future, Pinterest aims to allow users to press and hold on any pin in their home feed to initiate an instant search, streamlining the shopping experience even further. Additionally, the platform plans to label AI-generated images and provide users with the option to limit the number of AI images they encounter. This decision comes in response to user feedback expressing concern over an overwhelming presence of AI-generated content, which some feel complicates the search for authentic images that inspire their shopping choices.
Matt Madrigal, Pinterest's director of technology, commented on the company's approach to integrating AI into the user experience. "As people encounter AI-generated content on Pinterest, we are enabling our users to make more informed choices about the content they see," he explained. He added that the Gen AI content should enhance users' abilities to discover and act on their inspirations, and that the company is approaching this new landscape thoughtfully, ensuring it benefits everyone on the platform.
Both the Cefora survey and Pinterest's advancements highlight a significant moment in the evolving relationship between technology and the workforce. While many Belgians remain hesitant or unaware of AI's potential benefits, others are actively seeking to harness its capabilities to enhance their work and personal lives. Meanwhile, Pinterest is redefining how users shop and seek inspiration, striving to be a more effective tool that leverages AI to help individuals discover their unique style.
These developments underscore the growing importance of AI in various sectors, from enhancing productivity in the workplace to transforming the shopping experience online. As the technology continues to advance, it will be interesting to see how both workers and consumers adapt to and embrace these changes.
