(de-news.net) – Ahead of the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty, Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) stressed the urgency of reforms and rapid progress in the field of artificial intelligence. He argued that Europe must establish the foundations for a self-sufficient digital future, as the global competition in AI was intensifying and leaving little time for hesitation. Wildberger insisted that Germany, in close cooperation with France and other European partners, intended to be a strong advocate for digital transformation and to ensure that Europe moved decisively from discussion to implementation.
Wildberger further noted that the summit demonstrated Europe’s capacity, with its talent pool and enterprises, to shape and advance critical technologies. He emphasized that innovation depended on speed and scalability, and Germany was prepared to act accordingly. The gathering in Berlin was expected to attract around 900 participants on Tuesday, including digital ministers, business leaders, and research experts. The confirmed attendance of French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) underscored the political significance of the event.
In earlier developments, recent industrial moves provided encouraging signals for Germany’s digital ambitions. The Schwarz Group, parent company of Lidl and Kaufland, had begun construction of a massive data center in the Spreewald, representing the largest single investment in the company’s history at eleven billion euros. The first phase of the project was scheduled for completion by the end of 2027. At the same time, Google announced plans to invest 5.5 billion euros in Germany over the coming years, focusing on a new data center near Frankfurt, expanded capacity in Hanau, and enlarged facilities in Munich and Berlin.
Wildberger welcomed these initiatives upon their announcement, stressing that Germany required substantial computing power to remain competitive at the highest level in artificial intelligence. He reiterated that the federal government’s strategic objective was to establish Germany as a leading European hub for data centers, thereby securing the infrastructure necessary for digital sovereignty and long-term technological leadership.
