AI in Germany: Leading in research, need to catch up in economy  

• Survey shows German strengths in research and weaknesses in the market

Berlin, 14 August 2023 - Almost every fourth German company (24 percent) sees Germany in the top group worldwide in research on artificial intelligence. However, this has not yet translated into business. For example, only 2 percent see Germany as the leading nation internationally in artificial intelligence. This is the result of a representative survey of 605 companies with 20 or more employees in Germany commissioned by the digital association Bitkom. "Artificial intelligence is probably the most important technology of the future. Germany has been at the forefront of AI research for years, if not decades, and has excellent scientists in the country. We must make better use of these strengths for marketable AI solutions," says Bitkom President Dr Ralf Wintergerst. "It is not enough to have individual lighthouses and impressively strong AI start-ups in Germany. AI is a cross-sectional technology and needs a broad base throughout the economy. Politicians also need to do more here. In particular, the very restrictive rules in Germany on the use of non-sensitive data should be adjusted. It makes little sense to pump billions into AI, but then deprive it of the data without which AI simply cannot work." 

Currently, 41 per cent of the companies see the USA as the world leader, 23 per cent China. This is followed at a considerable distance by Japan with 7 per cent and Israel and Taiwan with 4 per cent each. If one asks the companies about their expectations for the future, the picture changes little. The USA will still be the leader in 2030, according to 38 percent of the companies. Twenty-five per cent name China, 5 per cent Japan, 3 per cent each Taiwan and Israel, and just under one per cent see Germany in the lead.