Human oversight amid rapid change
Merz, a member of the Christian Democratic Union, said technological progress must serve human needs. Drawing on remarks by Pope Leo XIV, he cautioned against giving AI systems too much responsibility without critical scrutiny. Governments, businesses and society must set the rules for digital change themselves and safeguard the technological foundations of freedom, he said.
The chancellor acknowledged that the speed of innovation creates major challenges for policymakers. But he argued that slower institutional processes do not necessarily signal an inability to act: they also reflect a deliberate effort to let human needs and enduring social principles determine the pace.
To illustrate the speed of change, Merz likened the past year in digital technology to a light-year. He noted that some leading AI companies already have valuations exceeding one trillion euros despite being young businesses, and said even people working in the industry can no longer keep track of every development.
The November 2-3 summit is expected to draw more than 1,000 guests, including Bundestag members, business and science representatives, and digital ministers from other European countries and Canada. Its theme is "Shaping AI: safe, sovereign, competitive".
Industrial AI and international cooperation
Merz outlined two parallel priorities for greater digital sovereignty: supporting AI models that industry can use in the near term, and advancing research into future models, including physical AI. The aim is to protect business competitiveness and reduce technological dependence without pursuing self-sufficiency.
Germany and Europe need to become substantially faster and better at both developing digital technologies and putting them to use, he said, with the ambition of becoming leaders. He highlighted the economic opportunities for Germany, particularly in mechanical engineering and electronics.
International partnerships remain part of that approach. Merz pointed to France and Canada as partners in sharing knowledge and diversifying supply chains, and called for closer technological cooperation with allies and other like-minded countries. He also said Germany had helped clear the way for the European Frontier AI Initiative, intended to put Europe at the forefront of AI development.
Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger announced plans to cooperate with Canada on an AI safety institute to be established in Germany. He said Germany aims to double its overall computing capacity and quadruple its AI computing capacity by 2030. Merz separately described the national data center strategy as aiming for at least a fourfold increase in AI computing capacity by that year.
AI adoption targets for 2030
The government's AI Task Force presented its first report at the summit as a basis for Germany's vision of becoming an AI nation by 2030. Led by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs, the task force was established by the government's National Security Council in summer 2026.
The report sets targets for AI use across business and government. By 2030, at least 80% of large companies and 55% of small and medium-sized enterprises should be using AI. It also calls for the number of AI startups to triple and for more than 10% of economic output to be generated with AI. At least one AI application should be used for core tasks in 90% of federal authorities.
Despite Germany's strong starting position, particularly in research, the report warns that the country could fall further behind the United States and China, the leading AI locations. It says the opportunity to narrow that gap is closing and identifies the next 12 to 18 months as decisive for setting the course.
