“The AI revolution is also putting pressure on established revenue models in the software industry. When an AI agent takes over the work of several people, it is no longer credible to bill for the effort based on headcount or hours,” says Felix Ansmann, Head of Software & IT Services at Bitkom. “At the same time, when purchasing AI solutions, customers are paying ever closer attention to what they actually get for their money. Those who cannot make this value measurable will also come under pressure.”
According to experts, these changes also present opportunities for German and European providers if compliance and data sovereignty become selling points. Providers who deliver traceability, auditability, and European data storage from the outset can set themselves apart from competitors. At the same time, industry knowledge is becoming increasingly important. Those with expertise in specific sectors and domains who leverage this knowledge for and with AI will not be displaced by general-purpose AI in the medium term. “However, given the rapid progress of large AI models, no one can rest on their laurels with supposedly exclusive knowledge,” says Ansmann.
Other topics covered in the report include changing competency requirements for employees, the growing importance of interconnected platforms and ecosystems over individual software products, and concrete recommendations for policymakers. For example, respondents advocate for leaner, results-oriented regulation and the development of a dedicated European AI infrastructure.
The report “Software World 2036” is based on qualitative interviews with executives from companies in the software services and software products sectors, as well as from internal IT departments and related fields. The results are not representative but reflect the assessments and experiences of the respondents. The report is now available for free download.
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Further Links
👉 www.bitkom.org
👉 Download the report
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