On September 2, 2026, Prof. Dr. Frederik Ahlemann and Alexandar Schkolski, delivered the inaugural session of "KI.READY – KI in Ihrer Strategiearbeit" as part of the "KI für KMU Niederrhein" project. The digital workshop brought together more than 60 decision-makers from small and medium-sized enterprises across Duisburg, Kreis Kleve, and Kreis Wesel to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping strategic management.

The session addressed two central questions: what the current AI trend means for companies and their strategies and how AI can be applied concretely in strategic work. Drawing on current market data, Ahlemann and Schkolski outlined the scale of AI adoption, noting that while a large majority of companies already use AI in at least one business function, many organizations have yet to see a measurable impact on profitability — a gap they attributed less to the technology itself than to how organizations integrate it. They also discussed how the roles of employees and managers are shifting as a result: from executing tasks to verifying AI-generated output, and from delegating tasks to delegating goals. They emphasized that accountability remains firmly with people, even as AI systems take on more operational work.

On the strategic level, the workshop presented evidence that AI adoption is moving from competitive advantage toward baseline expectation — a pattern the presenters compared to earlier waves of enterprise technology such as ERP systems and company websites. They further highlighted that companies investing early in AI capabilities tend to build compounding advantages, as existing data, processes, and governance structures allow new use cases to be implemented more quickly. The session closed with a practical roadmap: a ten-step framework guiding companies from initial assessment through piloting to scaled, governed AI use, alongside a self-assessment covering data readiness, process standardization, IT infrastructure, legal compliance, security, and digital competency. Notably, the presenters stressed that nine of the ten critical success factors for AI adoption relate to people and organization rather than technology itself.

Session materials are available at:https://www.b2match.com/e/ki-ready-strategiearbeit-digital

The "KI für KMU Niederrhein" project continues with further modules on AI fundamentals, structured prompting, opportunities and risks, and legal foundations, offered both digitally and in person across the Niederrhein region. The project is funded through the EFRE/JTF NRW program by the European Union and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The project “KI für KMU am Niederrhein” has many more to offer, find additional information and sign up here: https://linktr.ee/KIfuerKMU