Artificial intelligence (AI) is more than just a tech gimmick or another tool in our digital toolbox. It’s the engine driving a new industrial revolution – one with the potential to take our economy and society to a whole new level. While other parts of the world, especially the US and China are pushing this technology forward with determination, here in Germany and Europe, we often seem hesitant, caught between concerns and the desire not to make any mistakes. But it’s high time we shed our reservations and seized the opportunities right in front of us. Only then we could actively shape the future, instead of just watching from the sidelines.
The AI we’re talking about today can be roughly divided into two main categories: First, there’s predictive AI, which makes forecasts and analyzes complex data; kind of like the rational, the left side of our brain. Then there’s generative AI, which can create new content like text, images, or even music – similar to our creative, right brain hemisphere.
However, these fascinating applications are just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a massive amount of data, a complex infrastructure, and highly advanced connectivity – the real foundation of the AI revolution. Without these basics, AI would be nothing more than a thought experiment.
To unlock AI’s potential, we need to act now – decisively and boldly. The time for hesitation is over.
The potential of AI for the German and European economy is huge: According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers1, AI could boost global GDP by up to 14% by 2030, adding around $15.7 trillion in value. In Germany alone, AI could generate up to €330 billion in gross value added – if every second company here adopts the technology.
AI doesn’t just let us analyze huge amounts of data and automate countless business processes, but also boosts productivity and frees ourselves from repetitive tasks. With AI, we can develop entirely new business models, massively improve healthcare, make education accessible to everyone, and create new jobs that nobody’s even thought of yet.
What I find especially exciting is the chance to recharge the “Made in Germany” quality seal with trustworthy AI, setting us apart from global competitors. We could develop AI solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also meet the ethical standards and serve the common good. But to tap into this potential, we need to act now – decisively and boldly. The time for hesitation is over.
Despite AI’s opportunities, we still have a lot to learn about using it. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2024 only one in five companies (20%) in Germany used AI technologies. While a third of large companies (35%) are on board, only 16% of medium-sized businesses (50–249 employees) and just 10% of small firms (10–49 employees) are using AI.2
Some companies simply haven’t recognized the potential yet. And those who'd love to use AI struggle with its implementation. A key problem is often a lack of know-how – both at the leadership level and among employees. Many companies have no clear idea how to integrate AI meaningfully into their business processes. There’s a lack of a holistic strategy that goes beyond isolated pilot projects. Others simply lack the technological foundation, data, cloud, and security – to build AI solutions on.
On top of that, there are legal uncertainties, especially around data protection. Fear of violating the GDPR paralyzes many companies and keeps them from tapping into AI’s potential. This uncertainty sometimes leads to a risky trend. Employees turn to private AI tools to speed up their work. That might seem pragmatic at first, but it poses significant risks to company data. That’s why we need clear rules and reliable, in-house solutions that meet both employee needs and company security requirements.
At T-Systems, we’re Deutsche Telekom’s AI and cloud factory. We started early to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence – not just as passive users, but as active shapers and developers. With a team of over 1,500 AI experts and our AI factory, we’re constantly advancing the technology in-house. We offer a wide range of AI solutions, including computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI, all built on proven AI platforms and scalable cloud infrastructure.
Our goal is to help companies of all sizes and industries unlock AI’s huge potential and turn it into real value. For this, we use our AI Solution Factory, which enables seamless AI development and deployment. We’ve already developed more than 400 concrete use cases that deliver value to customers across various industries. Our solutions are hosted in German and European data centers to ensure data sovereignty and GDPR compliance.
The possible applications for AI are virtually limitless. For the automotive industry, for example, we’ve developed a computer vision technology for quality control of weld seams. This AI-powered solution works not only more efficiently and quickly than any manual inspection but also more precisely. It can spot the tiniest deviations that the human eye might miss.
Another example is the use of predictive analytics in logistics: Here, we use AI to detect and prevent potential machine failures early on. This not only saves expensive downtime but also enables proactive maintenance, extending equipment life and reducing operating costs.
AI can also be put to excellent use in medicine: our Critic Contas solution, for example, automatically analyzes the vital data of patients in intensive care and detects critical conditions early. This allows doctors to act faster and save lives. Consider Fuse AI, the system that analyzes MRI scans of prostate patients, detects abnormalities, and provides reliable and fatigue-free diagnostic support to radiologists. The result improves diagnostic quality while noticeably reducing costs for our healthcare system.
The public sector also benefits from innovative AI solutions. Digital administration systems simplify interactions between citizens and authorities, making processes more efficient and transparent. A citizen-friendly, paperless administration is the future. All these examples show how AI creates real value and helps companies become more efficient, innovative, and competitive.
With our AI Foundation Services, we make AI easy to use for companies in all industries – even in sensitive environments like healthcare or the public sector. Our solutions are based on the secure Open Telekom Cloud and offer pre-configured models as well as flexible customization options. This enables companies to swiftly initiate and expand their applications. Our AI Foundation Services already include more than 15 large language models, including the latest open-source models like Meta Llama 3.3, Mistral Small 3, or DeepSeek R1. This variety allows companies to choose the model that best fits their needs.
We also offer technologies that extend AI solutions with company-specific data sources. Such integration enables more accurate, context-based answers and allows models to be precisely tailored to internal requirements. This feature is especially valuable for companies wanting to integrate their own data and processes into AI applications.
Another advantage of our AI Foundation Services is deployment flexibility. Companies can choose between public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises solutions. This lets them pick the infrastructure that suits them best, considering data protection, compliance, and performance.
Our AI Engineer, on the other hand, is an impressive example of how AI is revolutionizing software development for companies. This innovative solution can program complex business applications in just a few minutes – something that took months. With its command of popular programming languages like Python and TypeScript, as well as older languages like COBOL and C++, the AI Engineer is a versatile tool that takes software development to a whole new level.
With the ability to generate, translate, and test code in various programming languages, the AI engineer enables our 1,100+ developers to focus on more creative and challenging tasks. Whether it’s creating a virtual car key, programming a medical dashboard, or developing a digital citizen portal – the AI engineer handles these challenges with ease.
Our AI engineer reflects the technological quantum leap we’re currently experiencing in artificial intelligence. By shortening the development process from six months to six minutes, this AI solution not only revolutionizes software development but also cuts costs and helps companies fully realize their business potential.
To summarize, AI is no longer a topic for the future; it is a reality today. To avoid falling behind, companies must take immediate action by building knowledge, development strategies, and creating concrete use-cases. Telekom and T-Systems are ready to walk this path together with you. One thing is clear: the triumph of artificial intelligence can’t be stopped – but it can be shaped!
Companies should proactively seize the opportunities AI offers. As Masayoshi Son, CEO of Softbank puts it: “If you don’t evolve, you define yourself by a limited future.” It’s about redefining your position in the market and using AI as a powerful tool to boost competitiveness – now! At Telekom and T-Systems, we offer not just the technological infrastructure but also years of expertise and comprehensive consulting to guide companies on this journey.
1 https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/artificial-intelligence/publications/artificial-intelligence-study.html
2 https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/11/PD24_444_52911.html
