HP Study: Germany among the top group worldwide for AI agents
Almost every second employee in Germany already uses AI agents at the workplace. At the same time, concerns about one's own job and new requirements for qualifications are growing.
In Germany, professionals are among the world's top users of autonomous AI agents, according to the "Work Relationship Index 2026" report by tech company HP. Nearly half (49 percent) of German workers already utilize AI agents in their daily jobs, slightly trailing behind the United States. However, these employees are increasingly fearful of losing their jobs to AI advancements. Unlike traditional generative chatbots, AI agents can independently manage complex workflows and make business decisions.
Forty-five percent of all employees incorporate AI systems across all office roles, with the technology already commonplace among executives and IT departments. Usage of employer-provided AI tools rose from 32 percent to 49 percent within a year. Despite high acceptance, skepticism is prevalent among those actively using AI agents.
Those working extensively with AI agents express the greatest concerns for their professional future, with 43 percent fearing displacement by AI or more AI-savvy colleagues. Even among professionals using only classic generative text or image AI, 43 percent anticipate their job roles becoming more challenging to define in the future.
Adrian Müller, Vice President and Managing Director of HP Germany, noted that half of German office workers already regularly use AI. However, the results suggest that greater AI proficiency does not diminish the perceived need for human skills; instead, there is growing awareness of the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
Companies must find ways to streamline work processes using technology and provide targeted employee training. The job market appears cautious, with 60 percent of respondents finding it risky to leave their current positions (referred to as "jobhugging"). Notably, in the younger generation (Generation Z), nearly one-third are pursuing a second job to cushion against labor market risks.
Overall job satisfaction in Germany remains slightly unchanged at 21 percent, indicating that 38 percent of office workers find themselves in a critical zone. The study surveyed 19,506 office workers across 15 countries from April 15 to May 20, 2026, including knowledge workers, IT decision-makers, and executives.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
