Berlin unveils blueprint to catch up on AI

BERLIN — Germany is unveiling its plan to catch up in the global AI race, but key details remain unclear. Germany should become a “sovereign AI nation” by 2030 and narrow the gap with leading AI hubs in the U.S. and China, according to a report drafted by the government’s AI task force and obtained by POLITICO set to be released Monday. “The next 12 to 18 months will therefore be decisive in setting the course,” read the report, which was due to be presented to the National Security Council and also at a summit on AI in Berlin. Germany wants to secure access to the world’s leading models while strengthening European alternatives, particularly through expanded cooperation with France and Canada, according to the report. “We are leveraging collaborations with like-minded partners in the EU and worldwide (especially France and Canada) to benefit the German AI ecosystem and ensure sovereign access,” the report noted. “We will also use intra-European collaborations,” such as with French AI company Mistral, “to achieve this leverage,” its authors added. At the same time, “AI made in Germany” should stand out through its focus on industrial AI with “highly specialized models,” the report read. “A key focus here is the development of innovative production systems to increase productivity through the use of AI,” the report noted. “The widespread use of AI and AI-based robotics can boost productivity and quality, optimize industrial processes, and improve control over complex systems.” To help speed up the development of AI in Germany, the government plans to act as a “strategic anchor customer,” using public contracts and pilot projects to help European AI providers enter the market. The plan comes as Germany struggles to catch up on AI while cultivating more strategic autonomy in the area. Much of the blueprint, however, lacks key details, including on financing. The measures “neither constitute funding decisions nor prejudge” future budget procedures, according to the report. The government established the task force in June to better coordinate AI initiatives across several ministries. The blueprint proposes 18 measures such as plans to “strategically expand AI computing infrastructure and connect it as a European ecosystem” as well as “strengthening the semiconductor value chain.” By 2030, the government wants at least 80% of large companies and 55% of small and medium-size businesses to use AI. Berlin is also aiming for 90% of federal agencies to have at least one AI application in production. AI agents are expected to prepare administrative processes “end to end” and, where legally permitted, complete them with full automation. The government is also working to increase the country’s AI data center capacity by 300% compared with 2025, the report read. Jasper Bennink contributed reporting.