April 28, 2026 · Campus
Are business information technology specialists still needed today?
Are business information specialists still needed today? While many question whether this profession remains relevant in the age of AI, data science and software engineering, practical experience shows the opposite: the ability to connect business and technology has never been in such high demand. Organisations are increasingly seeking professionals who not only understand systems, but can also recognise their added value in a business context and implement digital solutions effectively.
Why business IT specialists are more in demand today than ever before
The question «do we still need business information systems specialists today?» is arising with increasing frequency – particularly in the context of data science, software engineering, and artificial intelligence. However, according to Tim Giger, lecturer in the Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Business & AI at HWZ, the clear answer is: yes, absolutely. Anyone asking this question may not yet have experienced what happens when a highly specialised technical team works without someone who also speaks the language of business.
Anyone building a bridge needs not only skilled engineers on both sides, but also someone who can design the bridge itself and understand what is required on each side. This is precisely the role of business informatics. It acts as a translator between business and technology, and this translation work is not diminishing, but becoming increasingly complex. So yes, it is worthwhile.
The new role of business informatics
The professional profile of business informatics has changed significantly in recent years. In the past, the focus was primarily on implementing IT systems and acting as an intermediary between specialist departments and IT. Today, the role has become much broader and more strategic. SaaS products, cloud platforms, and the sheer growth of data in recent years have ensured that the IT landscape within organisations is no longer static, but is constantly evolving.
This has also changed the role of business IT specialists. Today, they are no longer solely involved in system implementation and process optimisation, but also work on topics such as:
Data Management and Analytics
Cloud Strategies
Use of artificial intelligence
Cybersecurity and Compliance
In short: the scope has broadened and the strategic component has increased significantly.
Labour market: Demand for IT and business informatics jobs remains high
The overall labour market has cooled somewhat in recent years; however, applying this trend to the ICT sector would be a mistake. The ICT field continues to grow at an above-average rate, and according to ICT Berufsbildung, around 54,400 additional ICT specialists will need to be trained by 2033.
Those who are able to work at the intersection of business, processes, data and technology have particularly strong prospects in this market.
So, for anyone wondering, «Is business informatics worth it?», here is a clear answer: demand exists and continues to grow. A look at today’s job portals reveals the following profiles:
Business Analyst
Product Owner
Digital Transformation Consultant
Requirements Manager
Data Governance Specialist
This may sound like an explosion of new professions, but on closer inspection, it is above all one thing: classic business informatics that has become more specialised and differentiated. The reason is simple: Today, organisations no longer simply implement systems and consider the task complete. They must manage products, make use of data and AI, continuously improve processes, and at the same time ensure security and compliance. This requires greater depth in specific areas, and it is precisely this depth that is reflected in the new job profiles.
In which sectors is business informatics particularly in demand today?
Demand for business IT specialists is very broad and spans almost all sectors. However, it is currently particularly strong in the industry, in the financial and insurance sector, in healthcare, logistics, and public administration. Tim Giger explains why this is the case: «They are all under considerable pressure to digitalise their processes, to make effective use of data and AI, and at the same time to meet high standards of security, compliance and efficiency. This is no coincidence, but precisely the context in which business informatics delivers the greatest added value: when technology is not simply introduced, but must be embedded within complex organisational contexts.»
Difference from traditional IT or business administration profiles
A purely IT-focused profile develops and operates systems and applications. A purely business administration profile analyses markets, finance, and organisations. Both do this very well, but neither can do what business information systems specialists can: identify requirements from a business perspective, consider them from a technical standpoint, and design effective digital solutions as a result.
The question is not whether one has mastered a tool, but whether one understands why it is, or is not, appropriate in a specific organisational context.
According to Tim Giger, this is also the decisive factor for career success – the combination that cannot easily be taught: analytical thinking, a solid understanding of technology, the ability to communicate clearly, to put things into practice and to engage in continuous learning. Ideas that are never implemented are worthless. Companies are looking for people who can support a project from analysis through to a working solution, without giving up along the way. And because the toolkit is constantly evolving, ongoing professional development is now just as essential as Excel once was.
Which skills are essential in business informatics today?
Anyone wishing to succeed in business informatics requires both specialist knowledge and technological skills:
analytical thinking
Process competence
sound project management
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Cloud Computing
Cybersecurity
Data Management and Analytics
sound project management (both traditional and agile)
In the past, those responsible for implementing systems and documenting processes now also need to be able to assess which processes can be sensibly automated, how to ensure data quality, and whether an AI application will genuinely add value in a specific business context or merely sound appealing. This calls for a new kind of judgement:
Companies must use AI not only in a technical sense, but also in a responsible, compliant and transparent manner. AI literacy, governance and compliance are no longer abstract buzzwords, but concrete requirements in everyday working life. Business IT specialists who understand and can shape these developments are in demand in this environment.
Will business informatics be replaced by AI?
The concern is understandable, but unfounded. While AI does automate routine tasks, the following key questions remain:
Which processes should be automated?
Who ensures that the data used to train the AI, or the data used to train the agent for automation, is accurate?
Who assesses whether the implementation is economically viable and compliant with regulations?
It is precisely these tasks that will not be rendered obsolete by AI, but will instead become even more important. And because companies today must not only use AI, but also ensure AI governance, compliance, and responsible use, business informatics – with its combination of business, technology, and regulation – is better positioned than ever before.
Tips for Getting Started in Business Informatics
Anyone considering studying or pursuing further education in business informatics today should bear three things in mind:
Laying the technical foundations: A solid understanding of ICT forms the foundation for everything that follows.
Specialise with focus in areas such as AI, cloud computing or cybersecurity.
Develop cross-disciplinary skills: analytical thinking, clear communication, requirements engineering, project management, business management thinking and data management.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Yes, the combination of IT and business is more in demand than ever and offers excellent career opportunities.
Typical roles include business analyst, product owner or digital consultant.
No, on the contrary: its importance is increasing, as organisations require greater interdisciplinary expertise.
With the part-time Bachelor’s degree programme in Digital Business & AI at HWZ, you can immerse yourself in the world of software engineering, (generative) artificial intelligence, and business administration. This combination opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the digital business sector and provides an excellent foundation for the job market. The programme is practice-oriented, personal, and designed to be compatible with your professional commitments.
