This makes startups technology pioneers in Germany. In the overall economy, only 15 percent are using AI, while another 25 percent are planning it or discussing it. For data analytics, the figures are 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively, in the overall economy. “It is a good sign when many innovative founders use AI and Big Data, develop them further and thus bring new products and services to the market. Startups will help make the technology more usable, especially for small businesses and SMEs,” says Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst. “AI and data belong closely together: Without data, the best AI does not work – and conversely, data can be analyzed much more effectively with AI. In Bitkom’s view, the AI voucher for small and medium-sized enterprises envisaged in the German government’s startup strategy will help with the goal of bringing AI applications from startups to the mainstream.”
About one in four startups (27 percent) uses technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), and 29 percent are planning or discussing it. 5G is in use in 14 percent of startups, and 17 percent are in the planning or discussion phase. 3D printing is already used by 11 percent, and 6 percent are planning or discussing its use. Virtual and augmented reality is only used in 8 percent of startups, but here the difference to those planning or discussing its use is particularly high at 22 percent. The picture is similar for blockchain, which only 5 percent are using but 22 percent are discussing or already planning to use. And with the Metaverse, 3 percent current users are still compared to 15 percent of startups planning or discussing Metaverse deployment. Says Wintergerst, “The Metaverse, virtual and augmented reality, and blockchain are technologies that have been discussed for some time but have yet to see a breakthrough. Companies should follow developments in the startup sector closely and gather their own experience with the technology in good time.”
Only slightly relevant in the German startup scene are drones (5 percent users, 8 percent planning or discussing), robotics (4 percent and 13 percent) and autonomous driving vehicles (3 percent and 8 percent). At the bottom of the list are currently quantum computers, which 2 percent are already working on, but at least one in ten startups (10 percent) is discussing or planning to use them.
Note on methodology
The data is based on a survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the digital association Bitkom. In the process, 203 tech startups from Germany were surveyed. The survey is not representative, but provides a meaningful picture of the mood for startups in Germany. The question asked, “Which of the technologies mentioned are already in use in your startup, are being planned or discussed, or are not currently an issue?”
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Further links
👉 www.bitkom.org
Photo: pixabay
