The use of information and telecommunication technologies (ICT) generally enables companies to increase their productivity - and thus enhance their competitiveness. The German Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden regularly conducts a survey among German companies in cooperation with other partners.
Particularly in times of crisis, a company's competitiveness plays a central role. Companies that secure their access to data and accelerate business processes often also gain access to new global procurement and sales channels.
The larger the company, the greater the use of AI
In Germany, approximately 26% of all companies utilized artificial intelligence in 2025. Among companies with more than 250 employees, the figure was even higher, at 57%. Consequently, the use of artificial intelligence occurs significantly more frequently among large companies.
However, the analysis of the surveys conducted among non-users of AI technology yielded some highly insightful findings:1
- 20% had already considered the use of AI
- 72% cited a lack of knowledge as the reason for opting out.
- 62% justified their decision to forgo AI with a lack of clarity regarding the legal consequences of its use and
- 60% viewed the safeguarding of data privacy as at risk.
Furthermore, peripheral issues served as the grounds for the withdrawal:
- 45% Incompatibility in the Existing IT Landscape
- 44% criticized the provision and quality characteristics of the data
- 32% had concerns about the costs and
- 23% viewed ethical principles as being at risk
Cloud services are becoming increasingly popular.
By 2025, more than 86% of large companies will be using paid cloud services. Small businesses—with 10 to 49 employees—will only be using cloud offerings at a rate of 51%. The relevance of cloud services varies across different sectors. While 43% of companies in the transportation and warehousing sector rely on cloud computing, this figure rises to 88% in sectors such as information and communication.
Since a fast and efficient internet connection is essential for using modern digital applications, 67% of German companies have a business connection with a capacity of at least 100 Mbps.
---
Sources
1 Statistisches Bundesamt Wiesbaden im Report: "Nutzung von IKT in Unternehmen - Aktuelle Ergebnisse der Erhebung 2025" (German)
destatis.de/DE/Themen/Branchen-Unternehmen/Unternehmen/IKT-in-Unternehmen-IKT-Branche/IKT-U-Erhebung/info.html?templateQueryString=E-Commerce