Modern Communication Preferences in German Businesses, Unleashing AI's Potential
Almost half of the businesses have discontinued the use of fax machines.
In the heart of Germany, the digital shift is everywhere, and the fax machine is swiftly fading. According to a Bitkom survey, merely one in five businesses still hankers after the antiquated fax machine for internal or external communication. An eye-opening 18% of surveyed companies confessed to their reliance on this once-ubiquitous device [1].
From code-scrambled messages to blinking lights and the delightful ding, faxes have plummeted from grace. In 2024, the proportion of companies using the fax regularly has dwindled considerably, with just 18% compared to the 33% in 2023 [1]. "The fax machine is rapidly vanishing, a relic of the past," commented Bitkom CEO, Bernhard Rohleder, branding the fax as an insignia of backwardness [1].
On the flip side, a staple of modern digital communication, email, has infiltrated every office. All companies, a resounding 100%, are smitten with emails, using them either very frequently or frequently across internal and external communications. Smartphones followed close behind with 94% adoption, swiftly connected to video conferences, which now find their place in 67% of companies [1].
Messenger services have seen a surge in popularity, now used by two-thirds of companies for internal or external communication [1]. But, a word of caution: The road to AI acceptance in German enterprises is riddled with obstacles.
Employees seem reluctant to embrace the burgeoning technology. In more than half of the surveyed companies, managers believe that their workforce is skeptical about the implementation of AI [1]. Seventy-five percent of companies are putting off making a move until they've witnessed the results others have gained [1]. Despite this reluctance, the benefits of AI are undeniable. Early adopters have the potential to secure a competitive edge against those who lag behind.
"Cautiously examining AI is detrimental," pleads Rohleder. "Delaying action in artificial intelligence is a dangerous path. Companies must start implementing AI solutions, educate their employees accordingly, and embrace the era of technological advancement." [1]
But, how does the adoption of AI look like across other businesses in Germany? Large corporations are already enthusiastically reaping its benefits, with 50% of them integrating AI into their operations in 2024 [2][3]. Medium-sized enterprises, however, are more hesitant, with 33.1% having adopted AI, but 67% still unconvinced [2].
Employee skepticism can be attributed to a variety of reasons, ranging from unfamiliarity with the technology to job insecurity [2][3]. Tech challenges and legal uncertainties regarding data protection also contribute to this reluctance [3]. The issue of data sovereignty and regulatory concerns invokes preferences for "AI made in Europe," further shaping perceptions about AI integration [3].
Despite the uncertainties, one thing is clear—the future lies in the digital realm. The progressive integration of AI in German businesses is only a matter of time, and those who seize the opportunity will undoubtedly pave the way for a brighter and more competitive future.
Technology has taken center stage in modern German businesses, with email being a staple in every office and 100% of companies using it for internal and external communication. However, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in these businesses is met with some ambivalence. Although over half of the surveyed companies admit their workforce is skeptical about AI implementation, the benefits of AI are undeniable, and early adopters could secure a competitive edge.
