AI awarness is growing in Germany, but many workers have no interest in upskilling, study finds

A new Bosch study reveals rising AI awareness in Germany alongside persistent challenges in AI skill adoption and workplace integration, highlighting a significant gap between recognition of AI’s importance and willingness to embrace the technology.

Key findings: The Bosch Tech Compass 2024 shows that 72% of Germans believe AI will dominate the next decade, a dramatic increase from 42% in 2022.

• The study surveyed over 11,000 individuals across seven countries, including 1,000 participants each from Germany, France, and the UK, and 2,000 each from Brazil, China, India, and the US
• AI has surpassed industrial robots, hydrogen fuel cells, and 5G in perceived importance globally
• 67% of global respondents share the view that AI will be the dominant technology

Skills gap challenge: Germany faces a notable disparity between acknowledging AI’s importance and actively pursuing AI-related skills.

• One-third of Germans express no interest in acquiring AI skills, significantly higher than the global average of 18%
• Only 41% of German workers view AI skills as vital for their jobs, compared to 56% globally
• Just 45% of Germans currently use AI at work, contrasting sharply with 69% in China and India

Educational initiatives: There is growing support for formal AI education in Germany to address the skills shortage.

• 57% of Germans support making AI a standalone school subject, closely aligned with the global figure of 63%
• Bosch has launched an AI Academy, training 65,000 employees to bridge the skills gap
• Only 18% of German employees have received AI-related training, compared to 28% globally

Cultural factors: German attitudes toward technology adoption reveal a distinct cultural pattern.

• Only 45% of Germans express interest in staying updated with new technologies, compared to 74% in India
• German optimism about AI’s societal impact has increased to 34% from 26% in 2023, though still trailing China’s 66%
• Two-thirds of Germans believe AI poses no threat to their jobs, more confident than the global average of 50%

Expert perspective: Tanja Rueckert, board member and CDO of Robert Bosch GmbH, emphasizes AI’s transformative potential.

• Rueckert compares AI’s potential impact to that of the computer revolution
• She highlights the growing global competition for AI specialists
• The executive stresses AI’s role in transforming workplace workflows and processes

Looking ahead: The contrast between Germany’s recognition of AI’s importance and its relatively slow adoption rate suggests a potential competitive disadvantage in the global AI landscape, particularly as other nations move more aggressively to embrace AI technologies and develop related skills.