It is not Germany and the EU that are calling the shots in the global AI race. But that is about to change. At the AI summit in Paris in February, the European Union announced large-scale investments in the AI sector in order to catch up with global competition and strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty. Coupled with a clear focus on the development of safe and ethical AI, these investments are intended to help Europe become a global leader.
In its GenAI study, adesso looks at how German companies currently assess Germany and Europe in terms of generative AI, how ready they think they are, and the role GenAI now plays in their day-to-day work. The IT service provider surveyed 400 managers across the German economy.
Key findings of the survey:
- Companies are waiting for “GenAI made in Europe”. The respondents sent a clear signal in favour of the need for European alternatives. For 71 percent, it was important or very important that the GenAI solutions that their company uses or would consider using were developed in the European Union. This shows a major awareness of digital sovereignty and a strong desire not to become dependent on non-European providers.
- Regulation is a necessary instrument. The majority of respondents were in favour of stronger regulation of AI solutions such as ChatGPT, with 48 percent stating they “somewhat agree” and 20 percent even stating they “completely agree”. These figures suggest that companies not only accept regulation, but that many see it as a necessary instrument for dealing responsibly with AI and managing potential risks.
- GenAI sentiment in Germany is brightening. The respondents assess the German economy's preparedness for GenAI as significantly better than last year, with 31 percent rating it as good or very good, compared with 11 percent in 2024. However, one in three still rate the situation in 2025 as only adequate or even inadequate.
- Companies’ readiness for GenAI is increasing. Companies now also see themselves as better prepared for GenAI. The proportion of companies that feel well or very well equipped rose from 31 percent in the previous year to 50 percent. At the strategic level, however, companies are only tentatively starting to adopt GenAI. Only 59 percent of companies have already developed an AI strategy, of which 18 percent are only looking at traditional AI.
