Artificial intelligence, 3D printing, blockchain, robotics—topics that are on everyone's lips, but seemingly haven't yet fully entered the German economy. This is at least confirmed by the results of a representative survey commissioned by the digital association Bitkom. Respondents cite data protection requirements as the biggest hurdle in the implementation of new technologies.
The German economy must make an effort to keep pace with international competition in the use of new technologies. This is the result of a representative survey of 505 companies from all sectors commissioned by the digital association Bitkom.
Two-thirds (68) of the board members and managing directors surveyed say that German companies are lagging behind or even lagging behind globally when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence. Around half of respondents believe this applies to 3D printing (48), blockchain (47), and robotics (45), while the number is slightly lower for the Internet of Things (42), virtual reality (41), big data (37), and drones (31).
"In the past, companies were hesitant to adopt new technologies, which could have resulted in them being less efficient and producing at higher prices than their competitors. Today, a new technology like artificial intelligence or blockchain can completely revolutionize an entire industry in record time,"
says Bitkom President Achim BergHe continues:
“Companies should not introduce new technologies as an end in themselves, but they are well advised to explore their possibilities and explore the opportunities for their own business models – or for completely new ones.”
Generally, company managers see the German economy on the right track when it comes to digitalization. Thirty-six respondents state that the German economy is currently among the leaders in international comparison, and another two even place it at number one worldwide. Virtually no one considers it lagging behind, and only 13 respondents state that the German economy is among the digital laggards, while 44 respondents see it in the middle of the pack.
New technologies too rarely used in practice
Only a minority attributes a leading or leading position to German companies in the use of technology. This applies most strongly to drones (26), followed by the Internet of Things (24), blockchain (18), robotics (16), big data (15), virtual reality (13), and 3D printing (12). Bringing up the rear is the use of artificial intelligence in companies (6). Achim Berg commented:
"Germany is strong in research and development in many of the new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. What we still rarely succeed in is putting these technologies into practical use in companies."
According to companies, the biggest hurdles to implementing new technologies in their own company are data protection requirements, which are cited by approximately every second respondent (45). This is followed by technical security requirements (39) and the shortage of skilled workers (33).
“No one can afford to forgo future technologies”
A good quarter of companies complain about the lengthy decision-making processes (27), and around one in five (18) complain about a lack of time in their day-to-day business for these issues. 14 companies report a lack of financial resources for the implementation, and 7 cite uncertainty about the economic benefits as a hurdle. Achim Berg's opinion:
"Given the current full order books, it's understandable that companies say they don't have time for new technologies. However, such an approach isn't wise. No one who wants to continue doing business tomorrow can afford to forgo future technologies today."
