Merz discusses AI for industry and defence with Strategy Group

Berlin (d.de) - Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz invited experts from business and academia to the Federal Chancellery for the third meeting of the Strategy Group for Technology and Innovation. The discussions focused on strengthening national AI ecosystems and new potential for innovation in the defence sector.

The Strategy Group sees industrial AI in particular as a major opportunity for Germany. This also includes the potential of artificial intelligence for the next generation of robotics. The High-Tech Agenda Germany is to be more closely integrated with major European innovation initiatives, including IPCEIs – cross-border projects of common European interest.

At the cabinet retreat in Neuhardenberg at the end of August, Merz emphasised the Federal Government's ambitions in artificial intelligence. “We want to remain among the world's leaders in the age of AI, too,” said the Chancellor. He also announced plans to look more closely at how technology can be used for security purposes, for example to counter drones or screen individuals.

In the defence sector, the Strategy Group aims to support and accelerate structural transformation. Procurement decisions are to be guided by the operational needs of the Bundeswehr. Procurement bodies and providers of innovative solutions are also be able to harness the full potential of digitalisation in the security and defence industry.

Alongside the Head of the Federal Chancellery, representatives of the ministries responsible for economic affairs, research, digital affairs, finance and defence took part in the meeting. The Strategy Group comprises eight experts from business and academia, including BioNTech co-founder Özlem Türeci, DeepL founder Jarosław Kutyłowski, Fraunhofer President Holger Hanselka and BDI President Peter Leibinger.

The work of the Strategy Group for Technology and Innovation is prepared by a secretariat at acatech, the National Academy of Science and Engineering.