In reaction to the restriction of access to high-performance US AI models, the Green party in the Bundestag has concluded a resolution outlining 15 measures calling for extensive investment in Artificial Intelligence across Europe. According to reports, the government is expected to lobby for the establishment of at least €100 billion in AI and related infrastructure funding at the European level in the coming years.
Rebecca Lenhard, the party’s digital policy spokesperson, stated to the specialist service “Tagesspiegel Background” that “a political decision alone can be enough for companies, research institutions, and government agencies in Europe to suddenly lose access to central AI models.” She emphasized that Europe and Germany must draw conclusions from this situation and strategically strengthen their own providers, considering the consequences if critical processes in the economy or state rely on such models.
The resolution also demands that the federal government conduct an assessment of the digital dependencies of state agencies concerning AI. Lenhard remarked that the long-term effects of dependency were evident in high costs and limited choice when it came to operating systems, office applications, and cloud services. “Germany and Europe must not allow this mistake to be repeated with Artificial Intelligence,” she added.
The proposal is scheduled to be discussed by the Green party’s economic advisory board, which includes AI companies, on July 7th, before being formally introduced to the Bundestag at the earliest opportunity.
