AI is already ensuring greater productivity, stronger growth and shorter innovation cycles in German companies. But a new study warns that many companies could miss the crucial step towards the next generation of AI applications. Although 63 percent of companies now use artificial intelligence, only a few manage to make the leap from chatbots and copilots to new products and business models.
The study “Unlocking AI Potential in Germany 2026” by Strand Partners on behalf of AWS shows why Germany is taking a leading role in the introduction of AI across Europe, but is falling behind in the actual transformation.
Germany uses AI, but hardly exploits its potential
The introduction of AI is progressing quickly in Germany, but so far only a few companies have succeeded in taking this economically crucial step. Today, only 15 percent use AI so extensively that it creates new products, business models or workflows. Compared to the previous year, this proportion has even fallen from 21 to 15 percent. Not only is Germany below the European average of 22 percent, but many companies are in danger of losing touch with the next stage of AI development.
A look at the maturity levels of AI usage illustrates the problem. 57 percent have so far used AI primarily for basic applications such as chatbots or standard solutions. Another 28 percent have already integrated AI into multiple business areas. Truly transformative applications that create new products, services, business models or even new routes to market have so far only been achieved by 15 percent of companies.
Depth of AI use in German companies according to three levels of maturity. (Image: Strand Partners/AWS)
AI has long been developing further. While chatbots and copilots are part of everyday work in many places, agentic AI, physical AI, robotics and intelligent automation are now taking center stage. Agentic AI can independently plan complex tasks, prepare decisions and combine different tools or data sources. Physical AI transfers these skills to machines and robotics and is considered a great opportunity, particularly for Germany’s industry, mechanical engineering and manufacturing.
But this is exactly where the next gap appears. Only 22 percent of companies are even aware of agentic AI. However, after the concept was explained, 57 percent can already imagine using or at least testing corresponding systems in the future. So far, only 16 percent of companies are aware of physical AI.
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Agentic AI is already paying off
Only a few companies are still using agentic AI productively. However, those who have already taken the step report positive business results significantly more often than the average of all AI users. The study results show the economic potential that lies in the next generation of AI systems.
92 percent of companies with agentic AI report productivity gains, 96 percent expect additional growth and 48 percent report increased sales. They particularly often mention faster decisions and faster implementation of tasks (45 percent), higher operational efficiency (35 percent) and more scalable business processes (24 percent).
For comparison, the results are lower among all companies that use AI – regardless of how advanced the use of AI is. 83 percent report productivity gains, 91 percent expect additional growth and 34 percent report higher sales.
Business results of companies with agentic AI compared to all AI users. (Image: Strand Partners/AWS)
Nevertheless, the technology is still in its early stages in Germany. Only 21 percent of companies feel adequately prepared for the next generation of AI systems. For AI startups, however, this value is already 81 percent. The study sees this as an indication that young technology companies are increasingly ahead of established companies when it comes to advanced AI applications.
Skilled labor shortages, capital and regulation are slowing down the transformation
The study also shows why many companies have not yet managed to make the step from initial AI applications to comprehensive AI transformation. In addition to skills deficits, there is a lack of investment and suitable framework conditions in many places.
49 percent of companies cited a lack of AI and digital skills as the biggest obstacle. At the same time, almost one in five companies believe they already have strong AI skills – but the vast majority see a significant need for further training. 39 percent do not yet have their own AI budget, although 84 percent assume that AI skills will be among the most important skills in their industry within the next five years.
Regulatory requirements also make it difficult for many companies to take the next development step. According to the company’s own information, around 44 percent of technology spending now flows into compliance. 82 percent also report that these costs have increased in the past three years. Many see this as an additional slowing factor for the introduction and scaling of new AI applications.
Germany is in danger of losing innovative AI companies
Although Germany is considered a strong innovation location, many AI startups increasingly see better growth opportunities outside of Europe. The study authors therefore warn that although Germany produces innovative companies, growth, investments and value creation could increasingly arise in other regions in the future.
The reason for this lies less in a lack of ideas than in the general conditions. Anyone who wants to develop new products, business models or globally successful companies from AI needs capital, qualified specialists, international markets and reliable regulation. According to the study, this is exactly where many founders see better conditions abroad.
42 percent of German AI startups can imagine leaving Europe in order to scale faster. The most important reasons they cite are better access to financing (59 percent), faster international scaling (52 percent), access to global markets (48 percent), lower operating costs (43 percent) and better predictable regulation (41 percent).
Reasons why German AI startups are thinking about moving out of Europe. (Image: Strand Partners/AWS)
However, the study also shows which factors could keep startups in Europe. Particularly important are good access to European customers and markets (62 percent), strong networks of companies, universities and accelerators (55 percent) and sufficient risk and growth financing (53 percent).
The location competition is therefore becoming increasingly important. Given the growing dependence on large US technology companies and political decisions in the US, Europe is trying to become more attractive to AI companies. This not only includes offering domestic startups better growth conditions, but also attracting leading international AI companies to the location. Austria’s current push to bring Anthropic to Europe is an example of this. You can find out how realistic this plan is in a detailed article on OnlineMarketing.de.
Germany has the basis – now the next wave of AI will be decided
Overall, the study paints a differentiated picture. Germany is now one of Europe’s leading AI locations when it comes to the introduction of AI. But now it is decided how much economic benefit Germany can derive from AI.
Four fields of action for Germany’s AI future. (Image: Strand Partners/AWS)
According to the study authors, whether Germany actively shapes the next wave of AI or loses out depends on companies not only using AI as a tool in the future, but also developing new products, business models and added value from it. This requires skilled workers, capital and a political framework that not only produces innovations, but also retains and attracts companies, investments and value creation in Germany and Europe in the long term.
The article comes from Larissa Ceccio from the OnlineMarketing.de editorial team and is published on as part of a content cooperation.
