AI is already paying off for many companies today. 94% of respondents report measurable added value from AI applications.
AI solutions have a particularly strong impact on speed, efficiency, and quality.
At the same time, the study shows that added value depends heavily on the degree of AI maturity. Companies with high AI maturity achieve significantly better results than companies with medium or low AI maturity.
Added value dimensions through AI
Of course, companies do not implement AI as an end in itself, but rather to achieve added value through the use of intelligent applications. And this is indeed the case. Only six percent of decision-makers say that their companies have not yet realized any added value from the use of AI. In this respect, AI is a value-adding technology for almost all companies.
Note: Question: "How significant is the added value of applied AI in processes across all use cases in the following areas?"; Percentage of respondentsquestionedcompanydecision-makers; Partial rounding difference to 100 percent.
Source: Handelsblatt Research Institute / valantic (2026)
AI leaders are most likely to realize added value
However, the degree of AI maturity also plays a role in achieving added value. The decision-makers surveyed from companies with a higher degree of AI maturity report added value in all three dimensions more frequently. For this reason, companies should also keep an eye on their degree of maturity in order to be successful with AI. The right strategic approach to the technology and the promotion of the necessary skills are key to quickly achieving added value.
Note: Question: "How strong is the added value of applied AI in processes across all use cases in the following areas?"; Percentage of respondents from the companies surveyed who answered "rather strong" or "very strong" according to AI maturity level.
Source: Handelsblatt Research Institute / valantic (2026)
I don't believe that companies will be able to remain competitive in the future without the use of AI. The technology is absolutely central and will manifest itself everywhere in companies. No one will be able to exempt themselves from this.
Gunnar Weider, SVP Enterprise Architecture, Evonik Industries AG
