The Great AI Skills Gap
Bitkom Study: 70% of Companies Ignore Training Obligation
A new representative survey by digital association Bitkom reveals an alarming reality: Despite legal requirements under the AI Act, German companies are massively lacking in AI training.
1. The Numbers: An Alarming Reality Check
The results of the Bitkom survey are sobering and paint a clear picture of the situation in German companies. The gap between the need for AI knowledge and the actual offerings from employers is enormous.
- Only 20% have been trained: Only one-fifth of professionals have received AI training from their employer. A small but active part of the economy.
- 6% have an offer but don't use it: For another 6 percent, training programs exist but haven't been utilized yet. The reasons remain unclear.
- 70% receive no offer: The overwhelming majority of employees are left behind by their employers. They are offered no AI training whatsoever.
These numbers show that most companies either don't take the AI transformation seriously yet or fail to recognize its urgency – a risky hesitation.
2. The Legal Hammer: The AI Act is Not a Recommendation
What makes the situation particularly critical: AI competence is not just about good HR strategy, but about binding law. The EU AI Regulation, which has been coming into force gradually since February 2025, is unambiguous here.
According to the European AI Regulation, all companies using AI must ensure that the people involved have a 'sufficient level of AI competence'. This governance obligation applies not only to permanent employees but also to freelancers, service providers, and temporary workers.
“It's important to be able to operate the tools correctly and to understand the possibilities and limitations of the technology as well as data protection and data security.”— Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, Bitkom President
Wintergerst's appeal underscores the core requirement of the law. Companies that remain inactive here are taking on significant compliance risk.
3. The Human Perspective: Fear and Acceptance
The Bitkom survey also illuminates the emotional side of the transformation. The perception of AI among the workforce is ambivalent and shows how profound the expected changes are.
Sentiment in the Workplace:
14% fear for their own job
One in seven believes they could be completely replaced by AI in their profession. A figure that underscores the need for retraining and continuing education.
33% see the boss as replaceable
One in three thinks an AI could replace their own manager. This shows high confidence in AI capabilities for organizational and decision-making tasks.
Bitkom President Wintergerst also sees a positive development here: 'Given demographic trends and the already existing skills shortage, AI offers the German economy in particular an opportunity to mitigate the worsening labor shortage.'
Conclusion: AI Competence is No Longer a 'Nice-to-Have'
The Bitkom study is an unmistakable wake-up call. The discrepancy between AI Act requirements and business practice is dangerously large. Companies that don't act now risk not only compliance violations but also falling behind on one of the most important technological developments of our time. Proactive, targeted training is the only way to remain legally compliant and competitive.
Read Also
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