It is hardly surprising that innovative companies are increasingly relying on innovative technologies. The results of a survey of 172 German tech startups commissioned by Bitkom confirm: 76 percent now use AI. A year ago, the number was just 49 percent. By comparison, in the overall economy, only 13 percent of companies currently use this technology. Generative AI is also widespread among startups, with a full 63 percent using it in their startup.
"Artificial intelligence is not a hype; it is arguably the most important key technology of the future. While Germany has been at the forefront of AI research for decades, commercial applications now come predominantly from abroad. Startups in Germany are among the pioneers and drivers of AI,"
says Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst and adds:
“I highly recommend that SMEs and large companies seek proximity to AI startups or even enter into collaborations.”
For eight out of ten startups, AI is the most important future technology, only 17 percent consider it an overrated hype. 39 percent believe that startups that Artificial intelligence not use, have no future. AI also offers concrete advantages for startups. 76 percent of startups that integrated AI into their products or services found it easier to obtain financing. And 38 percent would no longer be able to offer their product or service at all or only to a very limited extent without AI.
Regulation of AI as a competitive disadvantage?
Fifty-six percent of startups believe excessive regulation is the reason why products like ChatGPT don't originate in the EU. In May, the EU launched the AI Act, which aims to create uniform AI regulation in Europe. One-third of respondents believe the AI Act puts their startup at a competitive disadvantage compared to American or Chinese companies. And a quarter believe the AI Act restricts their startup's use or development of AI.
According to the survey, the biggest obstacles to using AI in one's own startup are a lack of financial and human resources (23 percent each), as well as data protection requirements and the legal admissibility of data usage (22 percent). This is followed by a lack of time in day-to-day business (19 percent) and a lack of data to use AI effectively (17 percent). Ten percent worry that company data could fall into the wrong hands due to artificial intelligence. Nine percent are generally unsettled by legal hurdles and ambiguities. A similar number of startups lack the technical know-how to implement AI. 33 percent of startups do not identify any obstacles to using AI at all.
