Austria's digital future: AI drives innovation!

Austria's digital future: AI drives innovation!

On April 4, 2025, Microsoft will celebrate its 50th anniversary. On the occasion of this anniversary, Hermann Erlach, CEO of Microsoft Austria, spoke in an interview about the country's digital future. Erlach emphasizes that artificial intelligence (AI) will play a central role as the next basic technology, similar to the Internet or electricity. Austria is positioning itself as an attractive location for digital innovations, especially in the area of ​​AI.

Microsoft Austria actively supports local companies on their path to digital transformation. Over 99% of companies in Austria are small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) that can benefit from using AI as a service without having to hire their own expensive infrastructure or data scientists. An example of this is EOS Steuerberatung, which uses AI to improve the quality of its advice.

Innovative AI applications in Austria

The country has already implemented some exciting use cases for AI. The supermarket chain Spar predicts demand for fruit and vegetables using AI. Strabag, a major player in the construction sector, uses the technology to manage risk in its construction projects. Andritz also optimizes industrial processes and Uniqa Versicherung reduces the effort involved in tariff issues by around 50% through the use of AI. A particularly innovative use case is the Hera Space Companion, which enables interaction with the Hera space probe.

The economic impact of AI should not be underestimated: A recent study predicts that generative AI could increase Austria's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 40 billion euros by 2035. Microsoft Austria is currently working with 4,500 partner companies to specifically leverage the potential of AI.

The role of AI in digital transformation

Digital transformation requires the seamless integration of digital technologies into companies. Artificial intelligence accelerates this process by increasing efficiency, reinventing services and actively shaping customer experiences. The benefits of AI integration include reducing cognitive load, improving tracking and simulation, and providing data-driven insights.

By efficiently processing large amounts of data, AI enables real-time analysis and helps companies identify patterns and trends. It not only improves operational efficiency through intelligent process optimization, but also helps to identify potential challenges at an early stage. In a tense economic landscape, the use of AI is a decisive competitive advantage for many companies.

Erlach emphasizes that three out of four Austrian managers have recognized the importance of AI, but it often remains unclear where to start. He recommends combining curiosity and the courage to change with a clear strategy in order to successfully immerse yourself in the world of AI.

Microsoft Austria's commitment to promoting creativity and innovation through a “growth mindset” culture is seen as an essential prerequisite for a successful digital future. The upcoming opening of a new data center region around Vienna in summer 2025 will further strengthen the technological infrastructure and contribute to the increased development of AI solutions.