How Mercedes-Benz is scaling AI-powered business automation

Mercedes-Benz is partnering with Berlin-based low-code automation unicorn n8n to launch a global platform that lets employees build their own AI-supported workflows, aiming to make AI-driven automation standard across the group. The move follows a hackathon attended by more than 1,500 employees and builds on existing AI tools like MO360LLM. Katrin Lehmann, who steps down as CIO on Sept. 1, said the initiative gives teams the opportunity to turn ideas into measurable benefits along the value chain.

At Mercedes-Benz, “ Digital First https://group.mercedes-benz.com/unternehmen/produktion/produktionsnetzwerk/digital-first.html ” has long been more than just a theoretical concept; it’s a lived strategy, as a visit to the Digital Factory Campus in Berlin https://www.computerwoche.de/article/3850468/mercedes-setzt-auf-humanoide-und-ki-in-der-digitalen-fabrik.html?utm=hybrid search demonstrated. Now, the automaker aims to take the next step in scaling artificial intelligence: Together with the German low-code specialist n8n, the company is introducing a global platform that will enable employees to develop their own AI-supported workflows and integrate them directly into operational processes. Unicorn startup n8n offers an AI-powered, open-source platform for workflow automation. It enables companies to efficiently manage daily processes using AI agents. Since the Berlin-based company was valued at nearly $2.4 billion in 2025, n8n has further expanded its market presence through strategic partnerships, such as with Deutsche Telekom https://www.computerwoche.de/article/4056375/agentic-ai-made-in-berlin-von-telekom-und-unicorn-n8n.html?utm=hybrid search to support small and midsize enterprises SMEs in areas like logistics and sales. According to Deutsche Telekom https://www.telekom.com/de/medien/medieninformationen/detail/n8n-mit-der-telekom-die-ueberholspur-zum-ki-agenten-1105520 , n8n is currently the most valuable German AI company, with a valuation of €5.2 billion. The goal at Mercedes-Benz to make data usable in seconds. To this end, AI-supported automation is to become the standard across the entire group. Behind this lies the strategy of transferring the use of AI from individual pilot projects into central processes in day-to-day business. “We give our teams at Mercedes-Benz the opportunity to translate ideas into measurable benefits along the value chain — and to actively shape how we work in the future,” says Katrin Lehmann, who will leave her position as CIO at Mercedes-Benz https://www.cio.de/article/4195932/mercedes-benz-cio-katrin-lehmann-wirft-das-handtuch.html on Sept. 1. The company has already developed plenty of dedicated AI use cases. These include its own LLM suite MO360LLM, the Digital Factory chatbot ecosystem, the MO360 multi-agent system, and the AI Factory as an idea factory for AI tools. But the company wants more. AI and automation applications are to be directly integrated into everyday work. The goal is for employees not only to passively consume AI, but to actively shape it. The automaker distinguishes between three levels of AI competence: The company-wide AI rollout received an additional boost from a hackathon. More than 1,500 employees from all business units attended the event. The goal was to independently develop ideas for AI and automation applications. Participants worked on concrete use cases to integrate AI and automation directly into their daily work. Mercedes-Benz Furthermore, the hackathon served to gather creative input directly from employees and translate it into practice. The best and most powerful concepts from the competition are to be implemented within the company. The plan is to implement AI workflows in all key business areas, namely in development, production, sales, financial services, human resources, and IT. Another characteristic of AI workflows is their connection and coordination across existing IT systems to simplify complex processes. In addition to classic automation methods, new approaches using AI agents are being specifically pursued. Last but not least, the workflows are designed to support teams in solving problems faster and making decisions based on data. As software and AI become key competitive factors in industry, Mercedes-Benz is relying on a modular and flexible technology architecture. This is where the n8n platform comes into play as part of this architecture. It functions as a low-code platform, enabling teams worldwide to create their own AI workflows. Without requiring in-depth programming knowledge, employees can thus integrate AI directly into their operational processes. At the same time, it serves to orchestrate workflows across existing IT systems. To this end, the platform connects these systems to simplify complex processes and ensure seamless integration to ensure this. Another aspect speaks in favor of the chosen solution from Mercedes-Benz’s point of view: strengthening its own digital sovereignty. This allows n8n to be self-hosted and operated independently of the cloud. In other words, the platform runs within a secure and governance-compliant environment within the group. This way, Mercedes-Benz retains full control over critical systems, data, and work processes.