Ifo Survey: More Than Half of German Companies Use Artificial Intelligence

According to the information, the technology is primarily used for typical administrative and analytical tasks. These include administration, data analysis, programming, correspondence, and information retrieval. In addition, many companies also use AI in planning and controlling, as well as in communication with customers.

Areas of Application: From Correspondence to Programming

Klaus Wohlrabe, head of Ifo surveys, sees this as the beginning of a broad wave. "The momentum in adoption is high," he said. At the same time, Wohlrabe pointed to the specific strengths of the technology: "AI opens up new possibilities, especially for routine tasks and processing large amounts of information." Thus, AI is a tool for companies that primarily targets areas where large amounts of data and recurring activities need to be managed.

Ifo: Spread is Gaining Breadth

Methodologically, the survey is based on the Ifo Institute's monthly business surveys, for which several thousand companies in Germany are regularly surveyed. The current figures on AI usage come from the June 2026 evaluation. The Ifo Institute is one of Germany's most important economic research institutions and includes companies of various sectors and sizes in its surveys.

Looking at the distribution by sector, industry stands out. With a usage rate of 58.7 percent, it is above the average for all companies. AI has now also arrived in the other sectors included in the Ifo sample, albeit with varying intensity. The data suggest that the initial pioneering phase, in which large corporations primarily experimented, has transitioned into broader application.

Industry as a Pioneer

For economic policy, the survey provides indications of how quickly new technologies are being adopted by the German economy as a whole. The Ifo scientists see the increase of around 13 percentage points within one year as evidence that AI is no longer just an experimental field for companies but is increasingly being integrated into ongoing processes.

At the same time, the Ifo Institute points out that the survey reflects the current state of companies' self-assessment. The actual intensity of use – i.e., how many processes are permeated by AI in detail – cannot be derived from it. Future development will depend on how costs, regulation, and the availability of skilled workers evolve.

Outlook: Development Remains Under Observation

Overall, the survey paints a picture of an economy in transition: AI has become a mass tool in Germany, moving from a niche to the majority of companies in less than two years. The increasing usage rates across all size classes suggest that the trend could continue.

The Ifo Institute announced that it will continue to monitor the development of AI usage in the coming months. It will also investigate in which specific application areas the increase is particularly strong. Business associations see the figures as a signal to further strengthen investments in digital skills and infrastructure.