22.10.2025
Productivity leap through AI - IMC Krems researches AI productivity in professional practice
Experimental studies show AI productivity increases of 20-30%, but their practical applicability is limited. An online survey running through November will collect real-life experiences with AI applications in everyday work. Starting in January, participants can compare their results and identify worthwhile application areas in free benchmarking workshops.
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ecoplus Digital GmbH
Most companies and their employees are in the experimentation phase with AI. Initial scientific studies show that engaging with AI is worthwhile. The results of these initial studies suggest that with and through AI, employee productivity does not increase by 2 or 3%, but rather by 20% to 30%.
However, the validity of these studies is limited. They are mostly experimental studies. This essentially means that two groups of people are observed performing a specific activity under comparable conditions in a controlled environment. One group is allowed to use AI, while the other is not. This provides fairly precise scientific results, but is difficult to transfer to practice. What would be helpful, however, are insights into the use of AI and its effects in professional practice. This is precisely the focus of a new research project at IMC Krems. The study is funded by the State of Lower Austria (GFF Applied Research). The research project proceeds in two steps:
Step 1: Employees from companies of all sizes and industries can participate. A short online questionnaire will ask respondents which AI applications are particularly useful in their daily work and what benefits they offer (time savings, cost savings, quality, etc.). It doesn't matter whether they have little or extensive experience with AI at work. The survey runs until the end of November. The questionnaire is available here: https://ww3.unipark.de/uc/KI-Produktivitaet2025/
Step 2: Starting in January, survey participants can compare their own progress. Benchmarking workshops will be held by IMC Krems (online, at the House of Digitalization, or at companies' locations). Survey participants can use these workshops free of charge. A registration option is provided at the end of the online questionnaire.
This study makes it possible for the first time to gain practical experience with AI. This helps, on the one hand, to focus on the most rewarding application areas right away when getting started with AI. And those who have gained further experience with AI can expand their use of AI in a targeted manner and focus on new, worthwhile areas of application.