Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) has cautioned against Germany and Europe becoming excessively dependent on the United States in the digital sphere. Speaking to ARD on Friday, he described a scenario where a company like Microsoft could effectively cut off access or discontinue updates for Germany, a possibility he views as real.
While acknowledging that trust has been built with companies like Microsoft over decades, Wildberger stated that this dependence is particularly concerning in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He cited instances, such as with Anthropic, where the latest AI models were unavailable, underscoring that technology can be withheld. “We must not be naïve,” the Minister stressed, arguing that sovereignty involves assessing how dependent and vulnerable one is. He has long pondered the necessity of developing a domestic “own Microsoft”-a product or family of products that not only provides resilience in case of service interruption but also generates revenue and fosters growth.
Regarding the question of whether Germany is already lagging behind in AI, Wildberger firmly responded that “it is absolutely not too late.” He highlighted the potential of industrial AI, viewing how AI can be implemented in various industries as a significant opportunity for global leadership. Given Germany’s vast amount of industrial data in this domain, he believes there is still room for innovation, despite challenges. He concluded that the push for progress ultimately depends on will, stating that Germany and Europe have much more to offer than their current confidence level suggests, and that this self-imposed “brake” must be removed quickly.
Turning to regulation, the Minister affirmed that while advocating for bureaucratic reduction, there would be no reductions in environmental protection. He emphasized that data centers must adhere to world-class standards regarding energy efficiency, green power capabilities, and water efficiency, a commitment that will remain untouched.
Finally, Wildberger voiced support for introducing an age limit on social media platforms. He argued that the correct foundational approach must be “Safety by Design.” However, because effective technical solutions for this challenge are currently lacking, he stated that in the absence of these solutions, he would advocate for implementing an age limit as a protective measure.
