The head of SAP, Christian Klein, has voiced concerns regarding the European Union’s plans to construct so-called “AI Gigafactories”. In a commentary published in the Handelsblatt, Klein argues that simply building data centers alone will not guarantee Europe’s digital sovereignty. He contends that the future of Europe’s digital landscape is not solely determined within server rooms and this principle extends to facilities dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence.
Klein cautioned against a complete renunciation of foreign hardware and software, warning that such a move “would lead Europe to the digital sidelines and be economically fatal”. Instead, he advocated for a revised understanding of sovereignty focused on control and self-determination rather than complete autonomy. He proposed a tiered security model, ranging from fully isolated systems to cloud environments that might operate outside of the EU.
Klein emphasizes a greater concentration on the application of artificial intelligence. “The business models of our industry must be rethought, processes digitalized and AI used purposefully – for more innovation, higher efficiency and sustainability” he stated. He believes policymakers can provide “decisive impetus” through targeted investments to facilitate this shift.
SAP, a leading provider of business software, currently utilizes various cloud infrastructure service providers for its applications. Key partners in the global market include US-based leaders like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft and Google Cloud. SAP intends to apply a similar approach to artificial intelligence, leveraging the infrastructure of these and other providers.
