Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming integral to business strategies across Germany, with significant uptake reported in interior-focused industries. According to the ifo Institute, 40.9% of companies now actively use AI in their business processes, a rise of 27% compared to the previous year. A further 18.9% plan to implement AI in the near future.
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'AI is increasingly becoming a strategic issue in companies,' said Klaus Wohlrabe, Head of Surveys at ifo. 'The challenge is to integrate it sensibly into existing processes.' This evolution signals a transition from theoretical discussion to practical application.
The construction sector, crucial to interior design and fit-out projects, has seen AI usage jump from 7.1% to 25% in just two years. In the trade sector, encompassing retail and wholesale furniture and furnishings, AI adoption nearly tripled to 34%.
Notably, 84.3% of firms in advertising and market research, essential partners in the design value chain, now leverage AI, alongside 73.7% of IT service providers. The machinery and equipment manufacturing segment, foundational to furniture production, reports around 50% adoption.
However, sectoral differences remain. Only 18.8% of textile manufacturers and 21% of food and beverage producers have embraced AI. In retail, 22.2% of firms state AI is not currently on their agenda. 'That means that these sectors remain more reluctant compared to other industries when it comes to a future strategy for the use of artificial intelligence,' noted Wohlrabe.
Company size also influences AI adoption: 56% of large firms already use AI, compared to just 31% of microenterprises. Yet the trend is positive across the board, with increased planning underway even in smaller firms.
Interior design suppliers and B2B manufacturers are urged to monitor these shifts closely, as AI becomes a differentiator in efficiency and innovation across the sector.
More information:
ifo Institute
www.ifo.de