The case

AI does not help save costs but simply shifts them.

Source: ​KMU; article published in Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 4 April 2025, p. 4

The commentary

The KImpact association collected the results of a number of current studies, which showed that by the end of 2024 ChatGPT was used by 350 million users worldwide, among them 16 million paying customers. Swiss small and medium-sized firms use AI particularly for creating texts, and – according to the study – every second text is drawn up with the help of AI though it must be added that whacking 80 % of these businesses lack interest in AI skills, while only 20 % of the companies are convinced by AI, 50 % are happy with the tool, another 30 % are dissatisfied.

The association does state that one abandon the idea that AI helps save costs, mentioning that AI does not lower costs but simply shifts them as one must consider the costs for infrastructure, licences, training and, last but not least, data protection.

AI does offer small and medium-sized Swiss firms considerable potential for the improvement of business processes and efficiency can be improved – still many a business is faced with the challenges inherent in the implementation and the use of this technology. What is decisive is ensuring that there is targeted training and one must develop expertise in order to be able to make full use of AI.

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