Digital transformation presents companies with growing challenges, such as a shortage of skilled labor and increasing demands for innovation. The field of cognitive value creation utilizes technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assistance systems to provide technical support for human cognitive abilities and to deploy them scalably in the form of technical cognitive systems. Of particular note is the use of AI agents based on Large Language Models (LLMs), which open up new potentials in process automation, decision support, and role development. Despite this significant potential, the adoption of AI remains low, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Consequently, a systematic, interdisciplinary research and design approach is required.
The objective of the preliminary scientific study KOGNIWERT is the interdisciplinary analysis of the potentials, barriers, and impacts of AI and digital assistance in production-related work and business processes. The study utilizes the six perspectives of the "Future of Value Creation" (Zukunft der Wertschöpfung) program to derive areas for action and develop practical future scenarios. This is based on a core hypothesis regarding the profound changes in the cooperation and interaction between humans and technology. Data is collected through semi-structured interviews with industry practitioners and evaluated qualitatively to provide well-founded recommendations for science, industry, policy-makers, and society.