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.

Impact of generative AI on the world of work

In the second quarter of 2025, firms were first asked if they already used generative AI or were planning to use it in the near future. If this was the case, these firms were asked several follow-up questions on their use of generative AI and its impact.

A majority of these firms expected that their use of generative AI would improve their profitability, customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction.

Firms that stated that they had already used generative AI in 2024 were also asked about its impact on productivity, wages, and number of employees. For 2024, 46 % of firms reported an increase in labour productivity and 31 % reported an increase in their number of higher-skilled employees as a result of their use of generative AI. At 79 % and 83 %, respectively, significant proportions of firms reported no change in their average wages and numbers of lower-skilled employees.

In addition, firms that already used generative AI or were planning to use it in the near future were also asked to estimate the share of working hours spent using generative AI in their enterprise. While 63 % of firms reported spending a maximum of 5 % of their working hours using generative AI in 2024, only 51 % expected to spend a maximum of 5 % of working hours using generative AI in 2026.