The development of artificial intelligence in the German economy – Image: Xpert.Digital
'How German companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence'
German companies and AI: From ignoring to actively using it
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in German businesses has increased significantly in recent years. As the accompanying graphic and current studies by the digital association Bitkom show, there is a clear trend toward greater AI use and acceptance among German companies. Currently, one in five companies actively uses AI, and the proportion of companies that completely ignore the topic is steadily declining.
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Current development trends in AI usage
Current development trends in AI usage – Image: Xpert.Digital
The accompanying graphic illustrates a significant shift in the German business landscape regarding AI. While only 9% of companies used AI in 2022, this figure rose to over 15% in 2023 and reached 20% in 2024. Simultaneously, the proportion of companies planning or discussing AI increased from 25% in 2022 to 37% in 2024. Particularly striking is the decline in the number of companies for whom AI is not a consideration – from 64% in 2022 to just 41% in 2024.
According to a representative study by Bitkom, 57% of companies are now actively engaged with the topic of AI, compared to only 43% last year. These figures demonstrate a clear shift in sentiment within the German business community. It is also noteworthy that 78% of the surveyed companies now primarily view AI as an opportunity, representing an increase of ten percentage points compared to the previous year (68%).
Investments in AI technologies
German companies are also increasingly willing to invest in AI. One in three companies (37%) is already investing in AI technologies. The trend becomes even clearer when looking at medium-term plans: 74% of companies intend to invest in AI in the coming years. These figures underscore the strategic importance attached to the topic, which is also reflected in the fact that 73% of companies consider AI to be the most important technology of the future.
Generative AI as a specific growth area
The still-emerging field of generative AI (such as ChatGPT or similar systems) presents a more nuanced picture. Currently, only 9% of German companies use such technologies, and another 18% plan to implement them in the future. More specifically, only 3% of companies use generative AI centrally, while 6% plan to do so this year.
Opinions on the relevance of generative AI differ: While 48% of companies believe that firms without this technology have no future in the long term, 46% believe that generative AI may seem spectacular, but offers only limited benefits in a business context.
Application areas of AI in companies
The applications of AI in German companies are diverse. 80% of companies that use AI integrate it into their products or services, while 43% use it to support internal business processes. For generative AI, specific application areas dominate: 89% use it in customer management, 40% in marketing and communications, and 20% in research and development.
International positioning and origin preferences
One interesting aspect is the strong preference of German companies for domestic AI solutions. Of the 84% of companies that use or plan to use generative AI and value the provider's country of origin, 86% prefer German providers. The USA follows with 64%, the EU with 48%, and Japan with 39%.
This preference, however, contrasts with current market perceptions: only 1% of respondents attribute a leading role in the field of AI to Germany. Instead, the USA and China are seen as the dominant forces. This discrepancy between aspiration and reality is also reflected in the demand that policymakers should provide greater support for German AI providers (71% agreement).
Regulatory challenges
Another important aspect is the uncertainty surrounding the regulatory framework. In particular, the EU's AI Act, which came into force in August 2024, raises questions about the future development and application of AI. 69% of companies require support in implementing the EU-wide AI rules. These regulatory uncertainties could hinder the faster adoption of AI technologies in Germany.
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AI as a driver of innovation: Germany between expectations and reality
The increasing prevalence of AI in the German economy indicates a fundamental shift that is imminent. According to Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst, there is a great openness to AI in Germany, coupled with high expectations in both the business community and the general public. AI will reshape the landscape in many areas.
At the same time, Germany faces the challenge of strengthening its position in international competition. The discrepancy between the desire for German AI solutions and the perception of the actual market leaders (the USA and China) clearly demonstrates the need to catch up. Wintergerst therefore demands: “Politics, business, and science must work together to ensure that we achieve a global leadership role in AI.”
AI as a driver of innovation: Germany between expectations and reality
The development of AI in the German economy shows a clear upward trend. The proportion of companies that use or plan to use AI is growing continuously, while the proportion of those that are not addressing the topic is steadily decreasing. A particularly strong momentum has been observed in the last three years.
Despite this positive development, Germany still lags behind leading nations in international comparison. To close this gap, further efforts are needed from both the business and political sectors. However, the strong willingness to invest in AI technologies and the increasingly positive attitude towards AI provide a solid foundation for future development.
As Wintergerst aptly put it, Germany must be clear: We don't just want to participate, we want to win. The coming years will show whether Germany can live up to this ambition.
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Konrad Wolfenstein
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