Bitkom: One in three companies uses artificial intelligence

The use of AI in German companies has almost doubled within a year. AI is seen as an important technology for the future, explains Bitkom.

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Sep 16, 2025 at 5:37 pm CEST

2 min. read

By

Jo Bager

The use of artificial intelligence in German companies has almost doubled within a year. As a result, 36% of companies now use AI technologies, compared to 20% in the previous year. A further 47 percent are planning or discussing the use of AI. These are some results of a recent survey conducted by the industry association Bitkom, for which 604 companies with 20 or more employees were questioned. Based on these figures, Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst spoke of a breakthrough for AI in the German economy.

Companies are investing more in AI than in the previous year.

According to the figures, 81% of the companies surveyed see AI as the most important technology of the future, with only 17% considering it to be temporary hype. For the first time, a narrow majority of 51% believe that companies have no future without the use of AI. With regard to their own company, 83% see AI as an opportunity.

Selective use

There are very big differences in which areas companies rely heavily on AI and in which they do not.

According to the survey, the main areas of application are customer contact (88%) and marketing and communication (57%). However, most companies still use AI selectively – A quarter only uses one application.

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Companies cite legal uncertainties (53%), a lack of technical expertise (53%) and a shortage of staff (51%) as the biggest obstacles. 29% want to increase their AI investments in 2025. In terms of country of origin, 93% prefer German AI providers, followed by US providers (51%). The European AI Act is viewed critically by 56% – It creates more disadvantages than advantages for German companies.