Artificial Intelligence
in Germany

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
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Introduction
Introduction
Historically, Germany has been an innovative global leader. However, when it comes to
artificial intelligence, the country had a bit of a slow start. Now, there is an AI strategy in
place, and several German companies are actively researching and implementing
artificial intelligence practices into operations, products, and services. Here we look at
how artificial intelligence is being used in Germany today.
Artificial Intelligence in Germany

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Germany’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy
While some believe, myself included, that Germany was a little late to the artificial
intelligence party, the country unveiled its AI strategy in November 2018. With a long
history of being one of the most innovative countries in the world, Germany's government
is ready to become one of the technology's global leaders by galvanizing artificial
intelligence research, development, and application. While the country's planned
investment into AI is only $500 million a year compared to the investment of $6 billion by
venture capitalists in the United States and Beijing’s $2 billion (plus more for the rest of
China) seems to immediately put it out of any serious AI competition, German AI
researchers are focused on quality over quantity.
Germany’s artificial intelligence strategy proposed 14 goals and 12 fields of action. Some
of these include strengthen AI research, use competitions to drive innovation and
encourage companies of all sizes to use and develop AI applications. In addition, some of
the goals include to keep the focus of AI on the benefits for German citizens, to have a
high level of IT security with AI initiatives, and to have AI research legally and ethically
embedded in the country.

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
German AI Innovation and Development
The surge in artificial adoption in Germany is primarily focused on traditional businesses
that are starting to use it. The country’s economy is driven by smaller- and mid-sized
companies, and what seems to be missing from what is witnessed in the United States, UK,
and China is a strong AI startup culture. While Germany might be lagging behind some
other AI-driven countries, here are how some German companies are adopting artificial
intelligence.
German e-commerce giant Otto uses artificial intelligence algorithms to improve online
activities and specifically reduce the number of returns. Using a deep learning algorithm
originally developed for CERN experiments, Otto tries to improve its predictions about
what people want to buy so they can order those products to be able to ship them to the
customer without delay. The algorithm predicts with 90 percent accuracy what will be sold
in the next 30 days.

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
German AI Innovation and Development
Another German e-tailer giant, Zalando, provides a personalized experience to its 29
million customers thanks to using artificial intelligence and machine learning. The
company’s Algorithmic Fashion Companion is a digital outfit recommendation tool that
helps customers develop a wish list based on what they've purchased or expressed
interest in before. In addition, the company's operations are optimized through the use of
artificial intelligence, including its supply chain and to prevent fraud. In particular, during
Cyber Week, artificial intelligence makes it possible for the company to create an
exemplary customer experience and offer multiple payments and delivery options as well
as apply discounts specific to that week.
Siemens AG, one of the world’s largest providers of railway infrastructure, is making things
that seemed impossible such as trains that are never late, reality thanks to artificial
intelligence. They use sensors, big data, and predictive analytics to guarantee this 100%
reliability. In other areas, Siemens uses AI for autonomous optimization, monitoring smart
grids, and for predictive maintenance of its industrial facilities.

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
German AI Innovation and Development
You might not be surprised to learn that BMW uses the latest AI technologies to drive
decisions and operations, especially in the development of fully autonomous vehicles, but
artificial intelligence is a critical tool for the company’s quality assurance initiatives from
predictive maintenance to paint shop dust particle analysis. Additionally, BMW uses
artificial intelligence to improve efficiency in its plants.
Artificial intelligence helps companies in all industries, including Allianz Insurance. Allianz
uses artificial intelligence in its Defendant Hub that helps process Stage 3 injury claims.
This application improves operational efficiency and allows the company to analyze the
data to gain insights for the future. Additionally, the company leverages AI and machine
learning in its investment processes.
German company Braun gives us evidence that artificial intelligence can impact just about
everything—including your toothbrush. Using artificial intelligence, Braun's toothbrush
called Genius X will be able to coach you on how to improve when brushing your teeth. It
uses built-in sensors to understand how you brush your teeth and then sends data to your
app with advice on how to do it better.

© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
German AI Innovation and Development
Well-known German company Daimler uses artificial intelligence in the development of its
autonomous vehicles but also uses it to take flight in autonomous drones. The company’s
Volocopter air taxi is an electrically powered modern machine powered by the latest AI
technology. Daimler hopes the Volocopter will be the transportation of the future.
Bertelsmann, one of the world’s largest media conglomerates, hosted a hackathon to
determine ways to use data and artificial intelligence to solve business challenges. The
teams focused on a variety of tasks, including programming automated podcast listening
recommendations, voice-controlled search functions, and more. Bertelsmann's Arvato
Systems has an AI Competence Cluster to develop intelligent solutions based on AI.
When COVID-19 kept people out of stores, Adidas shifted its focus to its online platform.
It planned to use artificial intelligence to study its supply chain management and use 3D
printing to produce the midsoles of the Adidas 4D running shoes. Adidas also offers a
"style suggestion" tool for customers that is customized to each individual's searches.
Using machine learning, the tool learns the preferences of the customer and explores
possible suggestions for styles, products, colors, and more.

Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
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© 2020 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2017 Bernard Marr , Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
© 2020 Bernard Marr, Bernard Marr & Co. All rights reserved
Bernard Marr is an internationally best-selling author, popular keynote speaker, futurist, and a
strategic business & technology advisor to governments and companies. He helps
organisations improve their business performance, use data more intelligently, and
understand the implications of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data,
blockchains, and the Internet of Things.
LinkedIn has ranked Bernard as one of the world’s top 5 business influencers. He is a frequent
contributor to the World Economic Forum and writes a regular column for Forbes. Every day
Bernard actively engages his 1.5 million social media followers and shares content that
reaches millions of readers.
Visit The
Website

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