STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVES

AI maturity and impact vary depending on the industry

The study shows clear differences between industries, both in terms of AI maturity and in the use and added value achieved by AI.

Some industries invested in strategic AI initiatives early on and are now benefiting more from economies of scale. Other industries are still in a phase of consolidation or are primarily focusing on technological foundations.

Overall observations:

Industries with high process complexity and high automation potential­tend to have a higher level of AI maturity.

In highly regulated industries, governance plays a particularly important role in the successful use of AI.

Regardless of industry, it is clear that the difference is less about technology and more about strategic clarity and organizational capabilities.

The automotive and telecommunications industries are leading the way in AI maturity.

Automotive

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Telecommunications

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Note: Percentage shares for assigning companies to the three AI maturity levels based on the responses of the company decision-makers surveyed in the respective industry; Some differences from 100 percent are due to rounding. Source: Handelsblatt Research Institute / valantic (2026)

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Trade

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Pharmaceutical

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Utility companies

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Low

Manufacturing

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Low

Logistics

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Low


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