Almost every German company now engages with artificial intelligence. A survey released on Wednesday by the IT‑sector association Bitkom found that 41 % of firms with 20 or more employees already use AI, while 48 % are planning or discussing its adoption. A year earlier only 17 % were using AI and 40 % were still in the discussion phase.
For three‑quarters (77 %) of the companies that currently employ AI, the technology has sharpened their competitive position. More than half (52 %) report a measurable contribution of AI to their business success, and two‑thirds (66 %) intend to expand their AI initiatives further.
Generally, businesses view their digitalisation efforts positively. Seventy‑seven percent say digitalisation has largely benefited them, and 16 % claim substantial gains. Yet only 10 % consider the German economy to be a global frontrunner in digitalisation; 16 % see it as lagging, and 7 % view it as even behind. A larger share (63 %) places Germany in the median group. Additionally, 78 % of companies believe the current economic crisis in Germany is partly due to delayed digitalisation.
Despite these broadly favorable views, roughly half of German firms (51 %) now struggle to manage digitalisation. Thirteen percent fear that digitalisation threatens their very existence, a proportion that rose from 7 % a year ago and 4 % in 2024. Seventy‑five percent (65 %) note that competitors in their own sector who adopted digitalisation early are ahead. One in five companies (20 %) feels its market position is endangered by emerging start‑ups.
The survey was carried out by Bitkom Research by phone with 604 companies employing at least 20 staff. Data were collected during calendar weeks 2 to 6 of 2026.
