In December 2023, WIK-Consult GmbH published a Research Brief on the latest developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing particularly on its application in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The core of the study illustrates the results of a survey conducted among AI experts in the summer of 2023, highlighting the current potentials and challenges of AI in businesses.
From the perspective of the surveyed AI experts, the results present an ambivalent picture. While the use of AI can generally lead to increased efficiency in production, logistics, marketing, and sales, companies still face challenges that hinder the integration of AI applications into their processes. These challenges include a lack of qualified personnel, relevant data, and financial resources.
The survey results also provide insights into how companies can potentially be supported in introducing AI. The AI experts consider the communication of best practices, physical demonstrations of AI applications, and training measures to be particularly valuable. Additionally, financial grants, advertising campaigns, the creation of data pools, and regional AI clusters can add value. Long-term measures, especially practical examples, are seen as particularly important.
