Eight out of ten companies believe AI will make them competitive

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Around 80 percent of German industrial companies see the use of artificial intelligence as a decisive factor for the competitiveness of domestic industry. This is the result of a survey conducted by the digital association Bitkom in the run-up to the Hannover Messe. Currently, 42 percent of such companies are already using AI, for example to monitor machines or control robots. In addition, more than a third are planning to use AI. Around 46% of those surveyed fear that German industry is missing out on the AI transformation.

Industrial companies demand a pioneering role in AI

Almost 80 percent of German industrial companies believe that the measures taken to date in the use of artificial intelligence are not enough. They are calling for an international pioneering role in the use of AI. However, a fifth of companies only see AI as temporary hype. At 32 percent, companies use AI most frequently in analytics, with a further 42 percent planning to do so. In robotics, 19 percent of companies use AI, 46 percent want to do so in the future. In energy management, AI is only used in seven percent of companies, but almost two thirds are considering using it.

Around seven out of ten of the companies surveyed use Industry 4.0 applications, i.e. digital networking in production. Around 20 percent are working on their introduction, while five percent are still holding back, citing a lack of time to deal with the issue. Almost 70% of companies still expect German industry to suffer damage as a result of Trump's US presidency. 46% see their existence threatened by the current economic situation, while 33% consider Industry 4.0 to be a help in this situation.

Digital marketplaces and IoT lead Industry 4.0

Despite the economic situation, 36% of German industrial companies are planning to increase investment in digital networking. Around 17 percent are planning less, while 44 percent expect expenditure to remain the same. At 53 percent, digital marketplaces are used most frequently, with 29 percent planning to do so in the future. Around 48% use digital twins and a further quarter are preparing to use them. IoT platforms are currently used by 46% of companies, with 43% planning to do so.

Although only five percent of companies in the manufacturing sector currently use digital data rooms to exchange information, they see advantages for the industry. At 56%, more than half of the companies surveyed expect resilience to increase. Around 48% state that data rooms increase the digital sovereignty of the industry. According to an equally high proportion, digital data exchange is crucial for future competitiveness. For four out of ten companies, however, the technology is still too complicated.

German companies: China leads the way in Industry 4.0

Industrial companies assess Germany's position differently. Just under half rate Germany as a laggard, around a quarter as a pioneer. In an international comparison, they predominantly see China as the leader, ahead of the USA, Germany, Japan and South Korea. To improve conditions, 86% demand legal clarity from politicians, while 88% warn against over-regulation. Companies are also calling for financial support. Around three quarters would like to see tax incentives, while two thirds consider the rapid processing of funding applications to be useful.

For the Bitkom study, the authors surveyed 552 German industrial companies with more than 100 employees. Most recently,the industry association Bitkom called for 100 billion euros to be invested in digital infrastructure, ten percent of which should go towards artificial intelligence. Ten billion euros each should also be invested in cloud infrastructures and the semiconductor industry. The money for this is to come from the special infrastructure fund.

(sfe)