Room for Improvement With AI Expertise

Artificial intelligence represents one of the greatest opportunities for companies in Germany to raise productivity and innovation to a new level. Stifterverband and management consultants McKinsey have analyzed how prepared companies are for this. The majority of managers surveyed (86%) believe that their companies could make much better use of the potential of AI. However, 79% of companies say they lack the necessary skills to do so. For the study AI skills in German companies, 1000 managers from companies of various sizes were surveyed and additional qualitative interviews were also conducted with HR managers from universities.

Bad report card for universities

The results show that 82% of respondents believe that German universities are (rather) poorly preparing students for the new world of work. This applies in particular to the practical application of AI in the automation of work processes or the confident selection of AI models and tools. One in five companies sees a need to catch up in the AI-based creation of new content, in prompting or in the ability to make data-driven decisions. The successful use of AI also includes the ethical evaluation and critical reflection of AI systems. Here, too, there is a backlog in skills development.

"In order to remain internationally competitive, Germany must intensively develop AI skills. Universities can play a key role in facilitating the necessary knowledge transfer," says Florian Rampelt, Program Manager Future Skills & AI at the Stifterverband and co-author of the study. "Digitalization and demographic change make the confident use of key technology essential. Companies must not only master the technology itself, but also enable their employees to use it in their daily work in order to leverage productivity potential," explains Julia Klier, Senior Partner at McKinsey and co-author of the study.

AI pioneers and role models

Companies that are prepared to invest in AI skills can not only secure their market position, but also position themselves as pioneers in an increasingly digitalized world. The only way to leverage the potential of AI for companies is for business, science and politics to work together. Companies should provide low-threshold learning opportunities for their employees. At the same time, universities must prepare their graduates more effectively for the future world of work and expand their role in continuing education. Companies expect politicians to provide a clear legal framework and ethical guidelines for greater security.