German businesses now widely use artificial intelligence. According to a representative Bitkom survey from September 2026, 57% of companies are using AI, compared with 36% the previous year and 20% two years earlier. At the same time, most companies still consider themselves to be at an early stage: 87% of AI users say they are currently making little or no use of its full potential.
Fundamental doubts about the use of AI have largely disappeared from the business community. Among companies using AI, 66% say it has improved their competitive position, almost half have been able to speed up their workflows significantly, and 45% report a measurable impact on business performance. The latter finding, however, contrasts with the results of the McKinsey report we covered in our previous newsletter.
For employees involved in research, information analysis or data-related work, developments in internal knowledge management are particularly relevant. AI use in this area has doubled within a year, from 11% to 22%. Companies are also increasingly exploring AI agents that can carry out tasks autonomously. 11% already use such agents, while a further 60% are planning or discussing their use.
By Maria Kleiner
Source: Bitkom, 14 September 2026