Identify AI-Use-Cases: Where is the stake?

> Key Takeaway: AI use cases are identified systematically: screen business processes with high manual effort, recurring patterns, and available data, then prioritize by ROI potential and feasibility.

Typical starter use cases: document classification, customer inquiry routing, and demand forecasting.

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**The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) has become a strategic necessity for many companies. But how do you identify the right applications that promise the greatest added value? A careful analysis and a structured approach are crucial for a successful AI introduction in the company. **

At a time when technological innovations progress rapidly, companies from all industries face the challenge of fully exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence. Identification of meaningful AI-use-cases is the first and most important step.

It is about identifying specific tasks or processes in which AI creates real benefits, whether through cost reductions, increases in sales or the development of new business models.

Ask the right questions: From the business goals to the AI strategy

Short: The starting point for identifying AI applications should always be the higher-level corporate strategy.

The starting point for identifying AI applications should always be the higher-level corporate strategy.

Instead of being dazzled by the technological possibilities, it is crucial to focus on the actual business objectives.

Ask yourself where the shoe presses most?

Where do we see the greatest potential for improvements?

Three central impact directions for AI-Use-Cases

• ** Cost reduction:** In many cases the reduction of operating costs is a primary objective. AI can make a significant contribution here by automating repetitive tasks, optimizing processes or improving resource use. One example is the AI-based automation of customer service, which can increase productivity by up to 45%.
• ** Increase in sales:** AI can also help increase sales by personalizing customer experience, increasing conversion rates or enabling new data-driven business models. An AI-based free text search in an e-commerce shop can significantly improve customer satisfaction and thus sales figures.
• **Strategic objectives:**In addition to direct financial benefits, AI can also contribute to achieving strategic objectives such as innovation leadership, the development of new markets or the improvement of cooperation in the company. The analysis of market trends using AI can, for example, lead to the development of new products faster and to secure competitive advantages.

Top-down vs. Bottom-up: Find the Right Approach for Your Business

Short: Initiating AI projects, there are basically two approaches that have proven themselves in practice and should ideally be combined:

Initiating AI projects, there are basically two approaches that have proven themselves in practice and should ideally be combined:

Approach	Description	Benefits
Top-down Management provides clear goals and resources.	Strategic orientation, Priority, financial support

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Method note: External statistics refer to published industry and official data (Bitkom, Destatis) where not otherwise attributed. Company-specific figures: Groenewold IT, 2026.

References and further reading

Short: The following independent references complement the topics in this article:

The following independent references complement the topics in this article:

• Bitkom – German digital industry association
• German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI)
• European Commission – Digital strategy
• MDN Web Docs (Mozilla)
• W3C – World Wide Web Consortium

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