Study Reveals Key Applications of AI in Business by valantic and Handelsblatt Research Institute

April 8, 2025 - A recent study conducted by valantic in partnership with the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) has unveiled the significant role artificial intelligence (AI) plays in enhancing business operations within companies across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The research highlights the most impactful AI use cases, emphasizing their relevance based on industry affiliation.

The study surveyed approximately 700 decision-makers from various sectors, revealing that two-thirds of respondents reported measurable benefits from AI implementations. These benefits include increased efficiency, reduced material and operational costs, and improvements in revenue and profitability.

Among the 14 identified AI use case categories, five emerged as the most critical for businesses:

• Quality Control: Utilizing AI for defect detection and ensuring product quality through various inspection techniques.
• Document and Data Management: Automating the extraction, processing, and management of vast amounts of information from documents and datasets.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Leveraging AI for accurate demand forecasting, optimizing delivery routes, minimizing inventory, and improving manufacturing and logistics planning.
• Robotics and Smart Products: Automating product functionalities and enabling hardware to operate independently through integrated sensor and control systems.
• Customer Service Automation: Implementing chatbots and virtual assistants to address customer inquiries and provide support.

Interestingly, while the top five use cases garnered significant attention, generative AI applications, particularly in content creation (e.g., images, text, audio, or video), were considered less critical by the respondents, with only 19% identifying them as vital for their operations.

The relevance of AI use cases varies by industry. For example, sectors such as automotive, beverage and food manufacturing, and general production place a high emphasis on quality control. In contrast, professionals in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries prioritize document and data management. Retail and consumer goods companies highlight supply chain optimization as paramount, while utility providers focus on procurement and pricing optimization.

Laurenz Kirchner, a leading figure in data and AI at valantic, emphasized that the findings illustrate that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but is actively utilized in numerous organizations. He noted the importance for decision-makers to identify and prioritize AI applications that deliver substantial benefits, ensuring that AI initiatives are strategically integrated into their business frameworks. Without clear objectives and prioritization, the potential advantages of AI may not be fully realized.

The study's results stem from both quantitative and qualitative surveys conducted among C-level executives in companies with over 500 employees across various sectors, including automotive, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, retail, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities.

For those interested in further exploring the findings, the complete study report is available for free access.