"German economy experiences groundbreaking advancement due to artificial intelligence"
In the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), German companies are making significant strides. According to recent surveys, AI is increasingly being recognised as the most important future technology, with 81% of companies now seeing its potential compared to 73% last year.
When it comes to training employees in AI, the numbers are still relatively low. Only 8% of companies offer AI training for all employees, another 21% for most, and 25% for selected ones. However, 29% of companies are planning to increase their AI investments this year, indicating a growing interest in upskilling their workforce.
The majority of companies, 57%, expect AI to have no effect on employment levels among companies that already use AI. On the contrary, about one in five (20%) believe that employment will decrease due to AI, on average by 7%. Yet, another 7% expect employment to increase, on average by 8%.
AI is predominantly used in businesses for customer contact (88%) and marketing and communication (57%). Neuromorphic computing, considered the key technology for the next generation of AI, is also gaining traction. However, it seems that the development of AI chips, a crucial component in this technology, is primarily being pursued by research initiatives and universities, such as the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Technical University of Munich.
The European AI Act, while intended to regulate AI usage, is met with mixed feelings. A narrow majority of 51% believes that the Act creates more disadvantages than advantages for German companies, while 46% wish for a reform. Interestingly, 37% of companies wish for a 10-year moratorium on AI regulation.
The country of origin of the AI provider is considered important by 88% of companies. This could explain Merck's investment in AI chip startup SynSense in China. On the other hand, 93% of the companies that expect to fall under the EU regulation assume that this will mean a high effort for them.
A significant increase in AI adoption is evident, with approximately every third company (36 percent) in Germany currently using AI, a significant increase from 20 percent a year ago. However, only 5% of all companies actively hire specialists with AI knowledge.
The future of companies that do not adopt AI is a topic of debate. A narrow majority of 51 percent believes that companies that do not use AI have no future, compared to 48 percent in 2024. This sentiment is echoed by the fact that 17 percent of companies say that AI is not a topic for them, compared to 41 percent last year.
Concerns about AI's impact on businesses are also prevalent. About a quarter (24 percent) of companies expect AI to change their business model, and almost as many (23 percent) are concerned that AI could threaten the existence of their company. Yet, at the same time, nearly every second company (47 percent) is planning or discussing the use of AI, also a significant increase from 37 percent last year.
In conclusion, while the adoption and investment in AI are growing, there are still challenges to be addressed, particularly in terms of regulation and workforce training. The future of AI in Germany promises to be an exciting and transformative journey.
Read also:
- List of 2025's Billionaire Video Game Moguls Ranked by Fortune
- Condolences offered by Cuba for earthquake tragedy in Turkey
- Anticipated European Energy Requirements for Battery Cell Manufacturing Predicted by Scientists
- Apple faces possible legal action from Elon Musk due to the alleged manipulation of his AI app's ranking within the App Store.
