Politics · Germany · 9 hrs ago
Merz says people must remain central as Germany seeks AI leadership
At a government digital summit in Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz met a humanoid robot and called for people to remain central to technological development.
He said Germany and Europe must move faster to become leaders in artificial intelligence, while keeping human values and dignity at the centre.
A government taskforce warned that the next 12 to 18 months are crucial for Germany to narrow the gap with the United States and China.
Its goal is to make Germany an “AI nation” by 2030, with more businesses and government agencies using AI and more AI startups.
The plans also call for stronger alternatives to large AI models, including more cooperation with France and Canada.
The summit discussed how AI could change jobs, as software may take over routine office tasks and robots could eventually replace some physical work.
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger said a future without work or money, as imagined by Elon Musk, is neither inevitable nor desirable.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said people and human dignity must remain central as Germany seeks to become a leader in artificial intelligence.
At a government digital summit in Berlin, he called for faster progress in Germany and Europe.
Merz said Germany wants to lead particularly in industrial AI, rather than merely use AI.
A government task force said the next 12 to 18 months would be decisive for Germany’s position in the international AI competition.
Its report set a goal of making Germany an “AI nation” by 2030.
- Who
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the German government.
- What
- Merz said people must remain central to AI development as Germany seeks to become a leader in the field.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The German government’s digital summit in Berlin.
- Why
- Germany aims to keep pace in the international AI competition, where the report says the gap with leading AI locations could widen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government’s National Security Council set up an AI task force led by the Digital Ministry.
The government’s digital summit took place in Berlin, where Merz spoke and the task force presented its report.
- Summit
- Government digital summit in Berlin
- AI leadership
- Germany aims to become an “AI nation” by 2030
- Decisive period
- Next 12 to 18 months
- Large companies
- Target: at least 80% using AI by 2030
- Small and medium-sized companies
- Target: 55% using AI by 2030
2 sources
What people are saying
We must, we want to become leaders.
Germany does not want to be just a user of AI, but a pioneer, especially in industrial AI.