Survey shows: IT decision-makers predict increased use of AI by 2030, but do not fear for their own jobs
- High expectations: Around 70 per cent of IT decision-makers in Germany believe that by 2030, AI will take over a large proportion of the tasks currently performed by IT departments
- Low usage: Nearly half of those surveyed do not currently use AI to counteract staff shortages, while a further 24 per cent are using it only to a limited extent
- Only just under 20 per cent of IT decision-makers fear losing their own jobs to AI
- eco Chair of the Board SĂĽme: Computer science must become a compulsory subject
Berlin, 4 December 2025 – The shortage of skilled workers is becoming an increasingly serious problem in the IT industry. AI could be a potential lever here. However, German companies are currently making little use of AI to address staffing shortages. This is shown by the latest eco Industry Pulse, a representative Civey survey of 500 specialists and managers from the IT sector.
A large majority of IT decision-makers report using AI in their own companies only rarely (23.8 per cent) or not at all (47 per cent) to counteract staff shortages. At the same time, a clear majority of around 70 per cent believe that AI will take over a significant proportion of today’s tasks in IT departments over the next five years. This assessment is more pronounced in western Germany than in the east.
Respondents particularly hope for relief from AI in data analysis (38.1 per cent), software development and programming (32.3 per cent) and IT support (15.8 per cent). In contrast, tasks such as IT management (2.2 per cent) or system administration (4.2 per cent) are hardly considered to be AI-supported.
However, IT decision-makers are divided on the question of how AI will affect the number of jobs in the future. Around 42 per cent of respondents consider a decline likely, nearly 20 per cent expect an increase, and about one-third anticipate no impact whatsoever. Notably, around 74 per cent have little or no concern that their own jobs could be eliminated by AI.
eco Chair Oliver Süme: “AI alone will not solve the skilled labour crisis”
eco Chair Oliver Süme emphasises that AI is no substitute for necessary reforms in education and the labour market, but it can still play an important role in alleviating the pressure caused by the shortage of skilled workers. The Internet industry is growing faster than almost any other industry. “AI alone will not solve the skilled labour crisis, but it is one of several levers,” says Süme. “AI offers companies the advantage of being able to shape things proactively – especially while they’re still waiting for urgently needed political steps to support the development of new IT talent.”
According to SĂĽme, there are several reasons for the pressure on IT personnel. Across the industry, almost every company is in the midst of digital transformation and needs IT departments for this purpose. Further demand for qualified personnel is being created by new technologies such as cloud and AI, as well as increasing cybersecurity requirements. On top of that, demographic change is a central problem.
Süme: “Computer science must become a compulsory subject”
The eco Chair of the Board therefore calls for introducing computer science as a compulsory subject nationwide, significantly expanding training and continuing education programs in STEM fields, and particularly attracting more women and career changers to IT professions. Germany also needs easier pathways for the immigration of well-trained IT professionals from abroad.
Süme: “The Internet industry clearly shows what Germany is facing in terms of the shortage of skilled workers: the IT sector is crisis-proof, future-oriented, attractively compensated – and still desperately searching for personnel.”
* Civey surveyed 500 IT decision-makers online for eco from 3 November 2025 to 19 November 2025. The results are representative due to quotas and weighting, taking into account a statistical error of 8.7 to 12.0 percentage points for each overall result.
