German companies rely almost exclusively on AI models and services from the USA (www.heise.de)

A recent survey by Germany's digital association Bitkom reveals that German companies predominantly rely on AI models from the United States, with OpenAI’s ChatGPT being utilized by 76% of AI-using firms. This marks a significant increase from 70% the previous year. Microsoft's Copilot and Google's Gemini follow with 35% and 28% usage, respectively. In stark contrast, open-weight models from Chinese companies hold only a minor presence, with mere 2% and 1% of companies utilizing DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen models. This dependence on U.S. AI solutions raises concerns about digital sovereignty within the German economy. Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst emphasized the need to support European providers and highlighted that not all applications necessitate the latest models; specialized systems can be more cost-effective and accessible. As Chinese open-weight models gain traction for their competitive edge in benchmarks and lower operational costs, the potential for these alternatives to disrupt the market is palpable. Notable companies like Coinbase and Airbnb are already incorporating these models, which could signal a shift towards a more diverse AI ecosystem in Germany if European companies seize the opportunity to innovate and compete.