The application of artificial intelligence within the German government varies significantly across ministries and the Chancellery when it comes to preparing official speeches and texts.
The Chancellery, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), emphasized that the Chancellor and the head of the Chancellery personally shape their speeches, often drafting them independently. While they are supported by specialized staff who prepare and draft materials, the Chancellery stated that AI is only used in isolated cases for research-never for text production. For AI usage generally, the office adheres to the guidelines published by the Federal Ministry of the Interior; no other specific directives are currently in place.
Several ministries take a strictly hands-off approach regarding AI authorship. Lars Klingbeil’s (SPD) ministry of finance stated that the speeches and texts produced by the leadership are fundamentally written without using AI. While an internal instruction exists for employees to use AI for official purposes, this document outlines which systems can be used and what precautions must be taken.
Similarly, Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul’s office explained that the Minister’s speeches and contributions are not generated by AI but are prepared entirely by staff at the Foreign Office, which also adopted an AI Charter in 2024 (under the former Minister Annalena Baerbock). This charter prioritizes human control and oversight to ensure a lawful and transparent administrative process, though the office has not issued a general guideline on AI use.
However, other ministries allow AI to be used as a supportive tool. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture (CSU) indicated that while ministerial speeches and texts are based on internal staff information, AI can aid in research or phrasing. A spokesperson stressed that humans are ultimately responsible for writing and vetting the AI’s suggestions.
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) also utilizes AI. Here, the creation of speeches remains a “process of human intelligence,” only supported by AI on a spotty basis. The ministry ensures that findings are always critically evaluated and that no fully AI-generated text blocks are adopted.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health confirms that drafts for Minister Nina Warken’s (CDU) speeches are created without AI support. Although the Ministry adheres to the general federal guidelines for AI use, it confirmed that there are no specific internal rules regarding using AI for speeches, guest contributions, or press releases, though the technology is being tested in certain application scenarios.
In the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), a spokesperson confirmed that the Minister’s speeches are fundamentally not written by AI. While an internal guidance document exists regarding “generative AI,” it does not specifically address ministerial speeches. This guidance does, however, require employees to mark texts substantially created by generative AI to ensure transparency, and all AI results must be checked for accuracy.
Addressing the broader landscape, Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) recently hinted at the possibility of introducing formal guidelines for AI use across the federal government in the near future.
