CDU politician Friedrich Merz announced plans to expand Germany’s infrastructure and computational capacities for Artificial Intelligence. Speaking at the Federal Government Digital Summit in Berlin on Monday, Merz emphasized that stability and trust provide a significant competitive advantage for Germany.
To support this vision, a dedicated AI safety institute has been established. Merz stated that they are building infrastructure designed to make AI systems trustworthy and noted the intention to manage national resources efficiently. Recognizing that public concern regarding the technology’s implications and resource consumption is widespread in Germany, serious strategies are currently being developed. Alongside these efforts, a national data center strategy is underway, aiming to quadruple Germany’s computing capacities by 2030, recognizing that processing power is the essential currency for AI.
Merz also stressed the importance of sovereign digital administration. Furthermore, he highlighted commitments at the European level through what is referred to as the “digital omnibus” to provide relief for small and medium-sized enterprises. A key goal is to establish a legal framework across Europe that fosters innovation, ensuring that bureaucracy does not become an obstacle.
The central question, Merz noted, is determining who will shape the profound technological and geopolitical shift currently underway and who will capitalize on the resulting opportunities. Expressing strong confidence, he believes that by merging Germany’s technological excellence and innovative power with its democratic values, both Germany and Europe can take a leading role.
Merz concluded by saying that the nation has every opportunity to become a major beneficiary of this new technology. While they intend to include the population in this process, he also sees enormous prospects for Germany as an industrialized nation. He pointed out that the country possesses an exceptional advantage-a deep and widespread industrial base, encompassing large international firms, medium-sized enterprises, and even small businesses-which provides unique opportunities presented by this technology; opportunities that may only arise once in a generation or century, as they see them today. He affirmed that the country is determined to seize this chance.
