Dr. Wolff, a family-run cosmetics and pharmaceutical company based in Bielefeld, Germany, has developed its own in-house AI tool called WolffGPT to help employees work more efficiently while keeping sensitive data secure. The company encourages all staff to learn and apply large language models (LLMs) in their daily tasks.

Deputy head of the packaging department Inna Hilgenberg told DW she uses WolffGPT almost every day to write workflows, design presentations, and edit files. 'I only see advantages in AI,' she said. The tool is based on existing LLMs but connected only to selected company systems, ensuring data protection.

About 110 employees have been trained as 'AI pioneers' through the company's AI Academy. They complete around 10 hours of short video lessons and then help colleagues identify and test AI applications in their work. AI manager Zhuo Li emphasized that these pioneers are ordinary staff without necessarily a technical background.

According to a study by the ifaa institute, over 40% of German companies already use AI, with 37% planning to do so. However, the IfM institute notes that workforce reservations have slowed widespread adoption. Across Europe, only about 6% of SMEs currently use AI, per OECD data, due to sluggish digitalization and misunderstanding of AI's potential benefits.

Dr. Wolff also teaches employees to create AI agents for specific tasks, such as IT support, invoice standardization, and social media posts. Nearly 90% of computer-based employees have completed AI training modules since fall. The company believes AI helps offset the skilled worker shortage and attract young talent.

While AI is currently used mainly for administrative and creative tasks, LLM applications in production are being developed. The company faces competition from large corporations in Europe, Asia, and the US, and sees AI as key to maintaining its edge.

Source: www.dw.com