A study by IT consultancy Zoi concludes that artificial intelligence is already firmly embedded in the strategic thinking of German businesses, but that the transition to productive day-to-day use is often progressing only slowly. While many German companies are launching pilot projects and exploring potential use cases, AI is still being used to only a limited extent in ways that deliver clear economic value. The gap between experimentation and actual integration therefore remains substantial.
According to the study, successful AI adoption is being held back less by a lack of funding than by inadequate organisational conditions and inconsistent implementation. Key obstacles include complex existing IT environments and a shortage of specialist expertise. In addition, corporate AI strategies are often not linked to clearly measurable objectives, which also means that robust performance indicators are lacking. The limited value generated so far is reflected in the figures: 76% of large German companies are actively testing AI agents, but only 19% already use AI in their core processes.
The study surveyed 500 IT decision-makers at large companies. The Stuttgart Media University provided academic support for the research.
By Ida Kandler
Source: Die Zeit, 24 May 2026, by the editorial team (dpa)