22. January 20253 min reading time

How is artificial intelligence changing business models?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing the way companies operate. Experts are intensively discussing how AI is transforming existing business models and what new opportunities are arising from this. But what impact is AI really having on the economy? Which sectors will benefit the most? And what about the acceptance of AI-supported solutions?

Changing existing business models through AI

The new brutkasten series"No Hype AI" was dedicated to the question of how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing business models. In the panel discussion, Saskya Lipp (CANCOM Austria), Ana Simic (Propeller), Nikolaus Marek (IBM) and Mic Hirschbrich (Apollo.ai) shared their insights on the impact of AI on companies and where the journey is heading.

AI as a driver for increased efficiency and new business models

Saskya Lipp, Portfolio & Product Manager at CANCOM Austria, believes that companies that take the identification of use cases seriously will experience massive change. "You can already see very clearly that the existing business models have been transformed," - says Saskya Lipp. Increased efficiency in production and automation in particular have changed business models. However, Mic Hirschbrich (Apollo.ai) emphasizes that the true added value of AI only unfolds when companies think beyond pure process optimization and specifically develop new business models. Ana Simic (Propeller) adds that AI not only changes business models themselves, but also the people behind them. The challenge is to reconcile technological advances with human aspects.

Data and models: flexibility is key

Choosing the right AI models and a solid database are crucial for the success of AI projects. The experts advise choosing between large language models and smaller, specialized variants according to requirements. While large models offer broad applicability, smaller models are often more resource-efficient and can be adapted to specific use cases.

Which industries benefit most from AI?

Industries with large amounts of data and standardized processes benefit particularly strongly from the AI transformation. This includes manufacturing, finance, healthcare and logistics. Here, AI can bring about enormous efficiency gains relatively quickly and create new opportunities for data-driven business models - the participants in the discussion panel agreed on this. There was also agreement on the assumption that no industry will be spared from AI. Nevertheless, it is clear that the key success factor for AI projects is a clean and well-prepared database.

Regulation and governance: a balance between security and innovation

The regulatory framework for AI is a hotly debated topic in Europe. Mic Hirschbrich shares his own experiences from the media sector and reports that European regulations can make the further development of an AI product considerably more difficult. Although data protection is important, regulation should not prevent companies from entering the market with innovative solutions. All panelists agreed that an internal governance structure and monitoring tools are essential. Tools for detecting model drift or hallucinations help to ensure stable and reliable AI applications in the long term.

People and leadership: AI as a team task

The success of AI projects depends not only on technology, but also on the people who use it. Ana Simic has observed a tendency in many companies to leave the development and implementation of AI to the IT department alone. She advocates that managers should actively engage with the technology and understand its potential. In addition to further training, it is also crucial for employees to recognize where AI can provide them with concrete support. Simic emphasizes that AI should not be a threat, but must help to empower employees in their work. Ultimately, according to Saskya Lipp (CANCOM Austria), AI will only bring sustainable success if management, specialist departments and IT pull together. Aligning use cases with corporate goals is the key.

Conclusion: AI as an opportunity for holistic change

Artificial intelligence can make companies more efficient - but its potential goes far beyond this. The real challenge lies in combining increased efficiency with far-reaching transformation. Those who see AI not just as an automation tool, but as a driver of innovation, will remain competitive in the long term. Find out more in the brutkasten video"No Hype AI".