Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence: A Comparative Study of Indices on Digital Competitiveness

The digital economy, driven by innovative technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming economic systems and increasing the demand for accurate assessments of digital competitiveness. This study addresses the inconsistencies in country rankings derived from global digital indices and aims to determine whether these rankings differ due to methodological variations. It also examines whether the rankings correlate significantly across different evaluation frameworks. The research focuses on 29 European countries and analyzes rankings from four widely recognized indices: the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking (WDCR), Network Readiness Index (NRI), AI Readiness Index (AIRI), and Digital Quality of Life Index (DQLI). To assess the consistency and variability in rankings from 2019 to 2024, the study applies Friedman’s ANOVA and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. The results demonstrate strong correlations at the level of country rankings, indicating a high degree of consistency, but also confirm statistically significant differences in rankings among the indices, which reflect the diversity of their conceptual foundations. Countries such as Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark consistently achieve top rankings, indicating convergence, while more variability is observed in indices like the DQLI. These findings highlight the importance of rank-based, multidimensional assessments in evaluating digital competitiveness. They support the use of such assessments as policy tools for monitoring progress, identifying gaps, and promoting inclusive digital development.