Innovative AI applications such as ChatGPT or other large language models should increasingly come from Germany in the future. On Monday, Federal Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) gave the go-ahead for a project that, according to the official statement, is to “create a basis for trustworthy and marketable AI applications” by the end of 2025 and that will focus on people. The unwieldy title of the project can still be improved in terms of marketing: “National initiative for AI-based transformation into the data economy” (NITD).
From now on, the threads will come together under the umbrella of the German Academy of Science and Engineering Acatech when it comes to better networking of data, the development of uniform testing and quality standards and the targeted promotion of AI companies in Germany. The federal government is contributing 32 million euros. The NITD is one of the “leverage projects” of the federal government’s digital strategy and should be fully functional by the end of 2025. One of the main areas of work is to network data spaces, such as from the transport sector, across sectors, to provide impetus for standardization and thus to create a basis for new business models and social value creation.
KI-Innovationen “made in Germany”
Another goal is to set uniform quality and testing standards as a framework for AI innovations “made in Germany”. A corresponding center should also make possible applications of AI for citizens and companies “visible and tangible”. The NITD is going according to plan Furthermore, improve the conditions for the foundation of successful AI companies and thus provide supplementary concepts for basic AI research, in which Germany – in contrast to later product development and marketing – “takes a leading role”.
Wissing emphasized that he wanted to strengthen AI development in Germany: “That’s why I’m fighting at EU level against technology bans and for clear rules that leave enough room for innovation.” At the same time, AI developers need “easy access to data, clarity about future standards and tailor-made funding offers”. The NITD should “bring more speed to the practical implementation”. Acatech President Jan Wörner added that the aim is to promote cooperation “so that we can also become faster in the application and scaling of new business models”. The government has also had its own multi-billion-dollar AI strategy since 2018, which it updated in 2020.
(olb)
