In a recent survey of the German corporate sector, data from over 7,000 firms indicates a significant increase in the adoption of generative AI (GenAI). The share of businesses either using or planning to implement this technology surged from 26% in 2024 to 44% in 2025, with projections suggesting it could reach 56% by 2026.
Conducted using the Bundesbank Online Panel – Firms (BOP-F) in the second quarter of 2025, the analysis highlights the implications of GenAI on productivity, employment, and wages. Average working hours dedicated to GenAI among early adopters is expected to increase from approximately 7.5% in 2024 to 12.6% by 2026. However, this growth is tempered by the lower intensity of use among newly adopting firms.
Furthermore, firms anticipate that their average spending on GenAI will rise from 1.0% of annual sales in 2024 to 1.5% in 2026. The overall share of AI-related expenditures is projected to increase from 0.3% to 0.8% of total sales, aligning GenAI investments with traditional digital spending categories. The data suggest that initial, scalable applications of GenAI are driving early use, even among firms with minimal spending.