November 7, 2023: The German AI landscape needs more research, computing power, specialists and transfer. Clear regulations are also needed for its use in education. The BMBF’s new AI action plan highlights where the greatest need for action lies.
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The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has developed considerably in recent years. The German AI ecosystem needs new impetus, particularly due to the increased social acceptance of generative AI, such as ChatGPT. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is a key driver here and, with its “Artificial Intelligence Action Plan”, has defined eleven fields of action in which the greatest need for action exists.
More AI from Germany and Europe
The AI Action Plan clarifies the status quo in the fields of action, formulates concrete goals and communicates the measures required to achieve them. It is an update of the German government’s AI strategy. The aim is for Germany and Europe to take a leading position in a world “Powered by AI” and achieve technological AI sovereignty. Up to now, too few AI technologies have come from Germany and Europe. This is set to change.
“AI is the key technology of the 21st century. It is a huge opportunity and has enormous potential, for example in education, research and business,” says Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research. AI must be promoted in a targeted manner and must not be demonized. With the AI Action Plan, the BMBF is taking precisely this approach. AI needs clear rules, but not overregulation.
1.6 billion euros for artificial intelligence
The BMBF is currently funding the research, development and application of AI in 50 ongoing measures with a focus on research, skills development, infrastructure development and transfer to application. These are now being specifically supplemented by at least 20 further initiatives. In the current legislative period, the BMBF alone will invest over 1.6 billion euros in AI.
For more research, skilled workers and transfer
The eleven fields of action include many improvements for researchers in the field of AI. For example, the AI competence centers and AI professorships are to be further promoted. The AI action plan also places importance on the basis of AI, the computing infrastructure. The computing capacities are to be made more usable for everyone and expanded.
In addition, the European alliance is to succeed. Among other things, the BMBF is organizing a high-level AI workshop to further strengthen European AI cooperation and to work out ways and measures for Europe’s path to the top in AI. Furthermore, the transfer from research to industry is to be improved. Only 15 percent of German companies use AI – this should change. In addition, AI technologies in the healthcare sector are to be promoted more actively than before.
AI in education
At the same time, social acceptance of AI is to be increased. Guidelines are also to be developed on how AI can be used effectively in education. This is because AI offers enormous opportunities for individual support, as well as support for teachers and training staff.
