“The federal government is maintaining its momentum in digital policy. For the first time, twice as many digital projects have been launched as have not yet begun,” says Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst. “Now it is up to the states and municipalities to build on the federal government’s solid foundations—for example, in the digitization of public administrations and schools—to bring about tangible improvements for citizens and businesses.”
The report also shows that while most projects fall under the leadership of the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, numerous other ministries are also responsible for key digital projects. “Digitization is a cross-cutting task. The Ministry of Digital Affairs must serve as the driving force, coordinator, and catalyst, but every ministry must consistently advance digitization within its own area of responsibility,” said Wintergerst.
Among the projects recently completed in the past quarter was the Rapid Construction Initiative for Universities, which aims to improve digital infrastructure at universities. The Real-World Labs Act creates better opportunities to test new digital technologies and business models before they are rolled out for widespread, long-term use. Among the initiatives launched in the past quarter was the elimination of written-form requirements. Progress has also been made on 24-hour business start-ups: The BMDS has launched a pilot project designed to make starting a business significantly faster and less bureaucratic. In addition, the government intends to play a stronger role as an anchor customer for AI. The public sector should not only promote new AI applications but also use them itself, thereby bringing innovations into practice more quickly.
From Bitkom’s perspective, it is now crucial that the newly agreed-upon projects and initiatives currently underway are implemented quickly. Wintergerst: “Digital policy must not stop at resolutions. What matters is whether companies can be founded more quickly, whether administrative services actually function digitally in practice, whether schools are better equipped digitally, and whether Germany is making measurable progress in AI, data usage, and digital infrastructure.” The federal government has set many initiatives in motion in the area of digital policy. Now it must pick up the pace. “Digital progress must reach people’s everyday lives and businesses before the end of this legislative term.”
In its “Digital Policy Monitor,” Bitkom regularly reviews the implementation status of all the federal government’s digital policy projects. The projects are examined and ranked based on their implementation status and their significance for digitalization.
– – – – –
Further Links
👉 www.bitkom.org
👉 Go to the Digital Policy Monitor
Photo: unsplash
