Chatbots at work: Between curiosity and responsibility
How Adlershof companies integrate artificial intelligence into their daily work
AI is fully integrated into daily operations: Thorsten Rimkus, software architect at convivo © WISTA Management GmbH
Human intuition and creativity remain essential for Alexander Ferkinghoff, development and research engineer (left), and Markus Lankes, CEO of MOC Simulation Services © WISTA Management GmbH
When ChatGPT became publicly available at the end of 2022, people were curious. Many people first experimented with the new chatbot at home. Writing. Asking questions. Using it as a thinking aid. Many quickly understood that these language-based AI systems were a lot more than novelty digital gadgets. They swiftly found their way into knowledge work—and into companies. Artificial intelligence, of course, encompasses much more than chatbots. Yet their rapid spread in everyday work has meant that language-based systems are now often seen as shorthand for AI itself.
The same is true in Adlershof, where research institutions and technology companies work closely together. AI tools have become a part of people’s daily professional lives. They assist with research, planning, structuring and documentation, summarise information and help prepare texts. Especially in early work stages, they make it easier to reach a solid starting point. For this article, we asked companies in Adlershof how they use AI in their daily work, what rules govern its use, how confident employees feel in working with it and what overall attitude companies take towards the technology.
“We use AI very widely in everyday operations—from summarising meetings and conducting research to planning tasks and supporting software development. We have clear internal guidelines, particularly regarding data protection, within which employees can independently test new tools.”
Thorsten Rimkus, convivo GmbH
// Software development
The more routine the use of language-based systems becomes, the more questions of rules and responsibility come into focus. Some companies start off pragmatically and begin by gathering experience. Others establish clear boundaries early on—particularly where sensitive data or customer information are involved. One point stands out: AI is generally seen as a supporting tool rather than a decision-making authority. Professional judgement, human oversight and contextual understanding remain essential.
“AI supports us with many routine tasks like research, writing, handling data or structuring projects. At the same time, we are aware that AI tends to be error-prone. It can inspire ideas and point to possible directions, but it cannot replace professional judgement or human decision-making.”
Jörn Kamps, CellSense Technologies
// Biotechnology / Microscopy
How confidently AI is used in everyday work depends less on company size than on the people working with it. In many cases, knowledge develops informally: through experimentation, sharing experiences and learning together in project work. Formal training or structured continuing-education programmes remain the exception, particularly in small and medium-sized companies. As a result, levels of familiarity vary widely, even within individual teams. While some employees actively integrate AI into their workflows, others are still cautiously exploring its possibilities or prefer not to use it at all.
We certainly see AI as a tool that can support processes. At the same time, many of our designs in prototype development emerge in a very intuitive and creative way. At the moment AI still plays only a limited role there. Because of this, we are approaching this topic with caution and pragmatism.”
Markus Lankes, MOC Simulation Services
// Mechanical engineering / Simulation
Despite its practical applications, AI still remains an emotional topic. Enthusiasm about new possibilities sits alongside concerns that creative, experience-based or highly responsible tasks might lose importance. In fields where work relies heavily on intuition, AI tends to be used more cautiously. At the same time, many recognise that technological change cannot simply be ignored. As a result, many companies find themselves balancing curiosity, scepticism and a desire to retain control.
“AI is enormously helpful for research in particular. When entering new subject areas, it saves a great deal of time and often produces impressively comprehensive results. The crucial thing, however, is asking the right questions and having enough expertise to recognise mistakes.”
Christine Wedler, ASCA
// Applied synthetic chemistry
A look at everyday work suggests that artificial intelligence is changing organisations less abruptly than many public debates imply. Rather, it tends to integrate into them, reinforcing routines, accelerating processes and revealing how organisations deal with uncertainty, responsibility and change. Whether AI is perceived primarily as relief, inspiration or challenge depends less on the technology itself than on the culture in which it is embedded. What ultimately matters is how consciously it is used and where human judgement remains the final authority.
Kai Dürfeld for Adlershof Journal