AI in Germany: innovation for SMEs

Artificial intelligence is a key driver of innovation in Germany with enormous potential. The technology offers a wide range of opportunities to improve the competitiveness of companies and open up new market opportunities. SMEs in particular can benefit from this, but often still shy away from innovation. The "Mission AI" aims to change this. 

AI in Germany - taking stock

SMEs are the backbone of the German economy and make up the majority of all companies in Germany. Among them are quite a few "hidden champions", who are often world market leaders in their niches and who particularly benefit from the flexibility and innovative capacity of artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, only a few small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany are currently using the innovation of artificial intelligence. Only around 12% of all companies in Germany use artificial intelligence, with large corporations (250+ employees; with 35%) leading the way. SMEs, on the other hand, are lagging far behind.

The use of AI technologies promises considerable benefits - studies from science and research predict sales increases of up to 20% and a global gross value added from AI applications that could grow by 7%. For Germany, additional added value of 330 billion euros is expected. In addition, cooperation between SMEs and AI start-ups offers mutual benefits for the German economy. However, many SMEs are not currently planning to cooperate and use artificial intelligence.

In summary, it can be said that Germany has great potential in the field of artificial intelligence. However, there are still many challenges to be solved - especially when it comes to the willingness of SMEs to implement and use intelligent systems. In addition to the German government's efforts to develop an AI strategy, initiatives such as "Mission KI" This is crucial in order to accelerate this development. Communication and cooperation between start-ups and the German economy must be promoted in order to ensure the competitiveness of SMEs.

"Mission KI" in Germany

SMEs and artificial intelligence are therefore often not yet a good match - a fact that the "Mission KI" initiative is addressing with a Matchmaking event on 17.7. took a closer look. 13 German AI start-ups met with 10 medium-sized companies and exchanged ideas. The start-ups had the opportunity to present their innovative solutions and systems as well as their knowledge from research and science directly to potential customers. The presentations covered a wide range of challenges and solutions - from knowledge management to production planning and customer communication.

The "Mission AI" initiative aims to promote Germany's digital transformation and innovative strength. German start-ups and SMEs are to be networked in order to accelerate the transfer of science and research into practice and promote the growth of marketable AI applications. The organizer of the event, appliedAIThe Artificial Intelligence Network sees itself as a hub that disseminates knowledge about artificial intelligence and networks various stakeholders in order to promote professional skills in dealing with artificial intelligence. 

SMEs and AI in Germany

Cooperation between SMEs and start-ups is a key building block for the success of AI initiatives and the development of the technology in Germany. Applied AI offers valuable resources and support to facilitate this process and strengthen the innovative power of the German economy. The events and platforms of appliedAI make it possible to share knowledge, promote cooperation and accelerate the adaptation of AI. We have summarized the most important learnings in 5 points.

1. Diversity of AI technologies:  Not all AI is the same. Different technologies have different fields of application and it depends on which ones are relevant for the company in question. A strategic advantage is gained through the targeted application of AI, not through the mere use of popular tools such as ChatGPT.
2. Expectation management: Realistic expectations are crucial for the success of AI projects. SMEs should communicate clearly what they expect and start-ups should be just as transparent about their possibilities and the limits of innovation.
3. Trustworthy AI and education: appliedAI is heavily involved in the field of trustworthy AI. The EU's AI Act, which regulates the risk classification of AI applications, is a central point. In addition, appliedAI offers educational programs at all levels - from introductory to advanced machine learning courses.
4. Startup Landscape: One highlight is the annually published Startup Landscape - a comprehensive analysis of the best AI startups in Germany. This platform enables SMEs to search specifically for startups that can meet their specific needs.
5. Use Case Platform: The newly launched use case platform makes it possible to present and find AI use cases virtually. Startups can upload their solutions and SMEs can search for specific use cases that meet their requirements. This platform offers inspiration, supports adaptation and facilitates direct contacts.

Start-ups of the "Mission KI"

The variety of possibilities offered by AI was evident in the various pitches from German start-ups. The following section briefly presents all the presentations at "Mission KI" in Heilbronn:

1 AmberSearch:

• Challenge: A multitude of tools and data sources in companies, which makes the efficient use of knowledge more difficult.
• Approach: AmberSearch integrates generative AI to provide a centralized search solution that sits on top of existing tools such as email systems and DMS systems.
• Solution: An intuitive user interface that combines text and visual content allows even non-technical employees easy access to information. 

2 DeepFile:

• Challenge: Concerns regarding the transparency and traceability of AI models.
• Approach: The solution sheds light on the "black box" of AI by offering comprehensible and transparent AI models.
• Solution: Companies can use pre-trained open source models and train them further with their own data. A search bar makes it possible to quickly generate answers from the entire knowledge database and display the sources of the answers.

3. scavenger AI:

• Challenge: Large amounts of data, but not the time or resources to gain useful insights from it.
• Approach: Scavenger AI connects internal databases or uploaded data sets and makes it possible to ask specific questions.
• Solution: Proprietary AI tools cleanse the data, perform statistical tests and translate the results into comprehensible dashboards that provide directly usable recommendations.

4. futurized:

• Challenge: The processing and classification of documents is often time-consuming and inefficient.
• Approach: Futurized offers AI-supported process automation for document and language processing.
• Solution: Document processes can be significantly accelerated through integration into existing systems and the classification, extraction and translation of documents. 

5 Konfuzio:

• Challenge: Need for effective tools to process and analyze documents.
• Approach: Konfuzio offers a platform for the in-depth analysis and processing of transactional and narrative documents. This enables diverse and sustainable process optimization and automation.
• Solution: The tool makes it possible to extract knowledge from documents extract and directly into company applications, databases or intranets. integrate. Konfuzio also offers special modules for different document types and applications. In addition, the application can be customized with many different features, such as a intelligent chatbot, will be expanded.

6. 913.ai:

• Challenge: Automation of complex decision-making processes
• Approach: 913.ai offers an infrastructure for the end-to-end automation of specialist departments.
• Solution: With customized automation solutions and a no-code integration builder, processes can be automated quickly and efficiently. 

7 NECKAR:

• Challenge: Small and medium-sized companies find it difficult to maintain financial stability and grow.
• Approach: NECKAR offers a tool that updates and visualizes accounting data in real time.
• Solution: By automatically updating financial data and integrating document management, Lekka enables proactive financial planning and control.

8. workist:

• Challenge: Manual processing of business documents is inefficient.
• Approach: Workist automates the processing of business documents with the help of an AI that has an intuitive understanding of documents.
• Solution: The AI reads out relevant information, validates and supplements it and creates a data output that can be integrated into ERP systems. 

9 Branchly:

• Challenge: Optimization of end customer communication for SMEs
• Approach: Branchly offers AI-based user interfaces that improve communication with end customers.
• Solution: A Gen AI chatbot, which is easy to integrate, answers questions and performs actions. 

10th Convaise:

• Challenge: Integration of generative AI without requiring programming skills.
• Approach: Convaise offers software for creating intelligent chat assistants.
• Solution: A no-code editor can be used to create chat assistants who provide advice and handle transactions. 

11. amexis:

• Challenge: Dynamic and efficient production planning.
• Approach: Amexis offers software that dynamically adapts and optimizes production plans.
• Solution: Integration into ERP systems and the use of algorithms reduces planning effort and increases efficiency.

12 NextStepHR:

• Challenge: Efficient recruiting in a crowded market.
• Approach: NextStepHR analyzes various job portals and social media channels to identify the best recruiting channels.
• Solution: The software automates the entire recruiting process and provides precise data analysis and insights to maximize efficiency.

13. get-ikigai:

• Challenge: Optimization of the recruiting process and the conversion of applicants.
• Approach: Get-Ikigai offers a bridge between employer branding and recruiting right through to the specialist department.
• Solution: Two chatbots that support both candidates and specialist departments to collect and match relevant data significantly improve the entire recruiting process.

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is a key driver of innovation that plays a central role in the future competitiveness of Germany and Europe. Germany is in competition with leading economies such as the USA and China - both in the development of new AI applications and their use for value creation. Although Germany is doing well in research, there is often a lack of implementation in practical products and services.

The pitches at Mission KI show how diverse and innovative solutions that startups develop for SMEs can be. From the automation and optimization of internal processes to the improvement of customer communication, these startups offer valuable tools to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of companies. Stakeholders from science, business and politics must work together to ensure the sustainable development of AI in Germany. The German government's AI strategy can only be the beginning - communication and exchange across all levels remains the key to successful progress.

Helm & Nagel GmbH has been working on solutions that make artificial intelligence usable for business for over 10 years. The company from Hesse always relies on the latest research findings and, on this basis, has also developed the software Konfuzio developed. The experts at Helm & Nagel GmbH also help you to develop individual AI strategies and to test and implement various tools. In this way, processes can be sustainably optimized and the competitiveness of SMEs increased.