AI and digital transformation reshape Czech and Slovak industries

Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are fundamentally reshaping the industrial and professional landscapes in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the Czech industrial sector, companies that have delayed automation and digitalization face increasing technological debt, struggling with fragmented data and outdated systems that hinder competitiveness. Experts note that successful implementation requires a shift in work processes rather than just software installation.

In Slovakia, AI is transitioning from a future risk to a current reality. Approximately 75 percent of Slovak companies are utilizing AI, though 61 percent remain in the experimental phase. According to SAP Slovakia, nearly a quarter of companies now include AI in their core strategies, up from 10 percent a year ago. Most investments focus on employee training, system integration, and data infrastructure, with 81 percent of managers reporting time savings and 70 percent noting increased productivity.

Beyond industry, the rise of generative AI is expected to alter the nature of approximately one-third of professions in Slovakia, particularly in administrative, accounting, and marketing roles. While manual trades like mechanics and healthcare remain more resilient to total replacement, AI is increasingly being integrated into these fields to assist with diagnostics and documentation. The shift poses a challenge to professional identity, as AI begins to perform tasks previously considered uniquely human, such as creative writing and complex data analysis.