→ Nearly half of the companies are already using GenAI
According to the study, 43.7% of companies in the DACH region are already using GenAI tools, with 24.0% using Microsoft 365 Copilot, making it the most popular. The main use cases are text creation and editing (23.8%), followed by customer support (15.4%) and task automation (14.1%). Respondents who are already using GenAI identify two key success factors: effective prompting and critical evaluation of AI results. Additionally, a solid data foundation is crucial. Only 41.4% of respondents believe they can use GenAI without significant improvements in data quality. Further challenges are anticipated by 78% of respondents due to the potential impact of the EU AI Act regulations.
→ GenAI is definitely worth it
42.9% of all participants expect the investment in GenAI to pay off quickly. Those who are already using GenAI are particularly convinced: half of them expect a quick amortization, significantly more than non-users (37.7%). This conviction is especially strong at the senior management level. Executives generally do not see the introduction of GenAI primarily as a cost issue. More than half of all respondents (53.4%) consider GenAI relevant even without specific use cases or have already identified some. Only 8.8% consider GenAI irrelevant – a clear sign of the broad acceptance of the technology.
→ GenAI is most important on a personal level
GenAI is transforming the way companies work on three levels: personal, team, and organizational. Respondents particularly support implementation on a personal level, with a score of 5.2 on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The team and organizational levels follow closely behind, each with a score of 4.8. However, in practice, only 38.8% have experienced GenAI on a personal level, 25.7% on a team level, and 24.4% on an organizational level. Therefore, it is essential to clearly communicate the benefits and applications of these technologies to employees through training and empowerment initiatives.
→ 41% use GenAI as part of the digital workplace
GenAI is increasingly becoming a central component of the digital workplace. In the DACH region, 40.5% of companies have already implemented GenAI projects, while another 35.7% are planning expansion. GenAI-based applications for text creation and translation (24.6%) and the automation of routine tasks (23.1%) are improving the quality of the digital workplace. However, companies must ensure that these technologies are used effectively to improve productivity and shift routine tasks toward creative activities. Given the expected impact of the EU AI Act, they should also ensure timely compliance with regulatory requirements.
→ Two-thirds have a digital workplace
Two out of three companies in the DACH region already have a digital workplace or are in the process of implementing one. The key benefits include more efficient communication (46.8%), optimized documentation (36.8%), and improved process design (31.8%). Moreover, the digital workplace has become a deciding factor for employees to stay with or apply to a company. When choosing a job, respondents consider flexibility through remote work (42.9%) and modern, integrated technology (25.7%) as the most important features.
