Merz Says Germany Must Build Its Own AI Power to Stay Independent

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke at a big conference on artificial intelligence in Berlin on Monday. He warned that Germany and Europe need to move faster to build their own AI tools. He said that if they don't, other countries and companies outside Europe could end up in control. Merz called this a matter of "digital sovereignty," meaning the ability of a country to manage its own technology.

Merz said that as AI becomes a bigger part of everyday life and business, nations that depend on outside tech providers could lose their independence. He used strong words to make his point, saying digital sovereignty in the age of AI is "a truly existential question." That means he sees it as one of the most important challenges Germany faces today. He promised that Germany would work hard to speed up the use of digital technology across the country.

To make that happen, Merz said it would take a huge effort to update both the government and the economy. He said the goal is for Germany to be able to build and manage technology on its own, from the physical hardware all the way to the software that runs on it. He added that this kind of independence is needed throughout the entire process of making and using technology. When he became chancellor last year, Merz created a new minister whose only job is to focus on making Germany more digital and modern.

Germany first made a national plan for AI back in 2018, and many German companies, including new startups, have started using the technology. However, critics — people who point out problems — say Germany has been too slow to build the digital tools, trained workers, and technology businesses it needs. A research group called the Ifo Institute said Germany is still not ready to take full advantage of the AI boom. They pointed out that many German government offices and companies still use paper records instead of digital ones, which puts the country behind.

Germany also has a small high-tech sector, poorly updated public services, and not enough workers with the right digital skills. Merz recently visited Singapore, Japan, and South Korea to learn from countries that have moved ahead in technology. He said Germany has great strengths in industrial engineering — building machines and factory systems — and plans to work with partners like Canada and France. Other European countries, including the Netherlands and Denmark, have already moved faster on digital issues, and Germany is trying to catch up.