In a nutshell: Nearly one-fifth of AI-using enterprises consider it feasible to partially replace academics with AI-supported employees of lower qualification levels.
A survey by the Ifo Institute shows that 19.2 percent of AI-using enterprises find it easy or very easy to replace academics with AI-supported employees lacking corresponding qualifications. This reveals a significant shift in how professional competencies are evaluated.
The Ifo Institute surveyed nearly 3,000 enterprises already using artificial intelligence in May. The key finding: 19.2 percent consider it easy or very easy to replace employees with professional or university degrees with AI-supported employees lacking corresponding qualifications. A further 15 percent of enterprises see similar potential in replacing experienced with inexperienced employees who work with AI support. In retail, this share is highest at 28.6 percent.
This reveals a structural transformation in the world of work. Ifo researcher Anna Ruffert comments: “AI is transforming the world of work and can in some areas partially replace formal qualifications and experience.” This has implications for recruiting, further education, and the future appreciation of academic degrees.
However: A majority of 55.4 percent of surveyed enterprises still consider the replacement of academically qualified workers by AI to be difficult or impossible. According to the Ifo Institute’s own statements, this question was asked for the first time, so no historical comparison is possible. The study covered exclusively AI-using enterprises and thus does not represent the entirety of the German mid-market sector.
Source: www.it-daily.net · Published June 12, 2026
Lumi AI News — AI-assisted curation in accordance with Art. 50 EU AI Act. Paraphrase and classification by Lumi News Pipeline v1.7.1.