“When it comes to artificial intelligence, the time for waiting is over. We have excellent AI research, but we are still too slow and too hesitant when it comes to applying AI solutions,” says Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst. “We need an ambitious application strategy, investment in infrastructure and talent as well as an innovation-friendly regulatory framework.”
The Bitkom paper formulates ten key recommendations:
- Massively strengthen the national AI strategy financially and supplement it with a focus on application: In addition, at least 10 billion euros should be invested over the next five years. At the same time, measurable application goals must be defined and implementation coordinated centrally.
- Expand high-performance AI computing infrastructure: National AI data centers should be established and access should be made less bureaucratic, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups. The establishment of a German AI gigafactory announced in the coalition agreement must be driven forward.
- AI funding programs should be bundled, made less bureaucratic and significantly increased: The large number of existing programmes should be bundled on one platform, application procedures digitized and successful initiatives rolled out nationwide.
- Create a broad AI talent pool – from schools to universities to further education: This includes introducing a compulsory computer science subject, expanding English-language AI training courses at universities and facilitating the immigration of AI specialists.
- Create an innovation-friendly and practical legal framework for AI: The AI Act must be implemented in a practical manner and the General Data Protection Regulation must be interpreted in an AI-friendly way.
- Easier access to high-quality training data for AI development: Data exchange between business, science and administration must be promoted and a legal entitlement to Open Data for government data must be created.
- Improve conditions for AI start-ups and scale-ups: Measures include providing more venture capital for young AI companies, fully digitizing start-up processes and lowering bureaucratic hurdles.
- Promote cutting-edge research in AI and strengthen Germany’s digital sovereignty: Research funding should be made more agile and less bureaucratic, open source AI should receive targeted support and cybersecurity for and through AI systems should be expanded.
- Encourage the public sector to pioneer AI solutions: What is needed is a cross-departmental strategy for the use of AI in the administration.
- Expand government AI expertise: To this end, an institute for national AI safety issues should be established and an independent AI council set up to advise the federal government.
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Further links
👉 www.bitkom.org
👉 Making Germany an AI hotspot – 10 recommendations for a successful AI future
Photo: pixabay
