Artificial Intelligence in Service Sectors: Excessive Dependence Yet Inadequate Awareness Regarding Risks and Safety Measures in 2025
German service companies are rapidly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, driven by a focus on efficiency, quality, cost reduction, and competitiveness. According to a recent survey, AI is most commonly used for everyday tasks such as research, translation, data analysis, and process automation.
The adoption of AI technologies, particularly generative AI, is leading to enhanced operational efficiency and improved customer experiences. For example, startups like Venta AI are deploying AI "sales employees" that increase meeting bookings by about 30% by identifying high-potential clients and engaging them with personalized outreach that complies with stringent German and European data protection standards.
The financial benefits of AI are evident, with European research showing that 56% of surveyed organizations report positive cost effects from AI usage, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous year. The implementation of AI generates an average of €6.24 million in additional profits or savings per company.
AI has become business-critical for German companies, with 91% now considering it essential. This shift drives increased AI budgets and investments focused on maintaining competitiveness through digital transformation. Germany is also investing heavily in AI education and infrastructure, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises, to broaden AI adoption and sustain economic growth.
However, the survey reveals that only 23% of respondents say most employees have good or very good knowledge about safe AI use, and 53% of decision-makers lack such knowledge. Marc Thamm, Product Head Technology, Media, Communications at Hiscox, emphasizes the need for employee training and a clear strategy for AI deployment and risk mitigation.
Hiscox, as a pioneer in the field, provides maximum transparency and covers the use or enablement of AI technologies within the scope of their professional liability insurance policies. 25% of decision-makers in German service companies are insured against AI-related risks, with 17% planning to do so.
Investments in AI are picking up speed, with 23% investing over 20,000 euros and 16% over 100,000 euros in the last 12 months. Data protection, error proneness, and regulation are the central challenges for companies implementing AI.
The AI Act in the European Union creates regulations or bans the use of AI depending on its type and application, with the goal of ensuring the rights and safety of people. Despite these challenges, no company surveyed finds AI irrelevant.
[1] Venta AI: https://www.venta.ai/ [2] Hiscox: https://www.hiscox.de/ [3] appliedAI: https://appliedai.de/ [4] EY European AI Barometer 2025: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/services/consulting/artificial-intelligence/ey-european-ai-barometer-2025
- The implementation of AI technologies, such as those used by Venta AI, not only enhances operational efficiency but also fosters improved customer experiences, as seen in the 30% increase in meeting bookings with AI-driven personalized outreach.
- The financial benefits of AI investments are evident, with European research showcasing that 17% of German service company decision-makers plan to insure against AI-related risks, highlighting the potential for substantial profits or savings, with an average of €6.24 million per company.
