Artificial intelligence in Germany: new roles, salaries and challenges
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising our personal and working lives at lightning speed. This innovation is not only of interest to IT specialists, but is also increasingly influencing strategic decisions in companies. According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), 75 percent of companies surveyed worldwide intend to implement AI technologies in the next five years. Industries such as IT and the automotive industry are the frontrunners here, with usage rates of over 80 percent.
Despite widespread fears that AI could render some jobs obsolete, experts also see significant opportunities in this development: while AI may make certain tasks redundant, it will also open up a great many new professional fields. Though AI systems are capable of processing huge quantities of data, humans continue to be essential for preparing data, implementing systems and evaluating the results.
Focusing on new AI roles and salaries
Artificial intelligence is set to permeate traditional job profiles and occupations to an ever-more-significant extent. However, it will also give rise to new jobs that are characterised by a high level of AI expertise in various disciplines.
We spoke with German business newspaper Handelsblatt about the new AI jobs that are emerging, the qualifications needed to perform them and the earnings potential they offer.
1. Prompt writer
Prompt writers play a key role in the AI sector. They formulate precise instructions which are interpreted and carried out by the AI systems. The more specific these instructions are, the better the results. American AI startups are already paying up to 335,000 dollars or 305,000 euros for a highly qualified prompt writer. A similar trend can be seen in Germany, where demand for such experts is continuously growing.
2. AI consultant:
AI consultants are important partners for companies that are planning to implement AI and make optimal use of it. They must have technical knowledge, but also a deep understanding of business processes and strategies. And their salaries are correspondingly generous: a senior manager with a specialisation in AI can earn up to 180,000 euros per year in a large company, with salaries at partner level starting at a staggering 350,000 euros.
3. Legal tech specialists:
these lawyers devote their time and efforts to legal questions surrounding the use of AI. Topics such as liability in the event of bad decisions by AI, compliance with data protection laws and copyright are at the heart of their work. Legal tech specialists can earn salaries of between 80,000 and 150,000 euros.
4. AI ethicists and cybersecurity specialists:
AI ethicists develop guidelines for the ethical use of AI, while cybersecurity specialists work to ensure the security of AI systems. Salaries vary widely in this area, but the average pay for a cybersecurity expert is estimated to be around 75,000 euros.
5. AI developers and data specialists:
these experts program new algorithms, collect and manage data, monitor AI systems and provide solutions when problems arise. They must have extensive knowledge of machine learning and neural networks as well as a strong understanding of mathematics. AI engineers, who are responsible for the design, development and maintenance of AI systems, can earn salaries of between 140,000 and 180,000 euros.
Source: Handelsblatt (2023)
Challenges from the labour market
Despite the exciting new role and attractive salaries, there is a substantial shortage of qualified specialists in Germany, which could be exacerbated further by declining demographic trends. Therefore, it is essential for Germany to invest in education and further training to meet demand for AI experts and remain competitive. In addition, there is a need to develop strategies to attract qualified specialists from abroad and offer them an appealing work environment.
Conclusion
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labour market is both a challenge and an opportunity for Germany. To make use of the opportunities and overcome the challenges, we need to invest in training specialists, create attractive conditions for experts from abroad and also ensure the secure, ethical use of AI. This is the only way Germany will be able to secure and expand its position as one of the leading locations for AI in the world.
However, if Germany wishes to occupy a leading position in this next industrial revolution, the country needs a broad application of the technology both within the economy and in professional domestic AI offerings. In this regard, it is important to highlight the fact that AI is a rapidly developing technology. This necessitates a high level of agility on the part of companies if they are to keep pace with the speed of development.
One key aspect that should not be overlooked is the essential role played by research institutes and universities. These are often the first to develop new technologies and processes before they are used in industry. Thanks to their extensive resources and highly qualified experts, they can drive research into basics and methodologies – an area that is often not sufficiently cost-effective or too risky for companies.
As such, companies are dependent on the transfer of AI knowledge from research. This research transfer enables society and the economy to access new scientific findings. The successful transfer of innovations to practical application contributes significantly towards securing the competitiveness of a site and future-proofing a company. With the use of scientific innovations, companies can boost their productivity, leading to growth and job creation.
So AI is not only revolutionising how we work, but also presents an opportunity to strengthen the economy, promote growth and create new, future-oriented jobs. The task Germany faces now is to create the right framework conditions to successfully implement and use this technology.
MARC-DAVID ROMPF
specialises in filling top management roles in business and professional services companies. As a dla co-founder, he is responsible for the company’s Assessment and Succession divisions.