German companies expect to see increasingly measurable benefits from their artificial intelligence investments in 2026. Many anticipate significant improvements in return on investment (ROI). Expectations are especially high for the rollout of AI agents. However, most organizations admit they are not yet adequately prepared to deploy them. Studies show that many companies still lack mature processes for monitoring and governing their AI systems.

Only a small minority have contingency plans in place should key AI providers become unavailable. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in day-to-day operations, weak governance increases compliance and business continuity risks. Experts therefore recommend strengthening governance, risk management, and strategic planning alongside AI adoption to build long-term resilience and maximize the technology’s value.