In addition to the regularly recurring questions on enterprise metrics, expectations and access to loans, the Bundesbank frequently asks enterprises questions on various current issues. A selection of the results is presented here.

Expectations for the use of artificial intelligence over the next five years

In the fourth quarter of 2024, firms were asked whether they expected to use artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years. Across all sectors, 60% of firms answered “yes”. Broken down by sector, two-thirds of firms in the other service activities, financial and insurance activities, and information and communication sectors expected to use AI, whereas only one-third of firms in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors did so.

Respondents who answered “yes” were asked a follow-up question about how they expected the use of AI to affect various business metrics. On average, firms expected that it would lead to an additional 7.5% increase in their investment and an additional 7.2% increase in their sales over the next five years. The additional increase in costs was estimated at 2.4% on average and the expected additional increase in corporate profits was 5.8%. For more information, see the chart below.