NATIONAL AI STRATEGY

Nationale Strategie für Künstliche Intelligenz

Start date :2018
End date :
Name of responsible governmental body :
  • Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF;Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung)
  • Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi;Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie)
  • Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS;Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales)
Description :
  • In the National AI Strategy, the Federal government sets out a framework for a holistic policy on the future development and application of AI and generative AI in Germany.
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Objectives:
  • To make Germany and Europe a leading centre for AI and help safeguarding Germany’s future competitiveness by attracting AI investments, by developing Centres for Excellence for AI research and by reviewing research funding schemes.
  • To responsibly develop and use AI in order to serve the good of society through the implementation of an AI Observatory for sustainable AI development and by funding AI applications to benefit the environment.
  • To integrate AI in society in ethical, legal, cultural and institutional terms in the context of a broad societal dialogue and active political measures by developing initiatives such as a new Skilled Labour Strategy, the Digital Work and Future Fund and by recognising the need of developing AI expertise in the public administration.
OECD AI principle adressed:
  • Inclusive growth, sustainable development and well-being
  • Human-centred values and fairness
  • Investing in AI R&D
  • Fostering a digital ecosystem for AI
  • Providing an enabling policy environment for AI
  • Building human capacity and preparing for labour market transition
  • International co-operation for trustworthy AI
Relevant policy area covered:
  • Competition
  • Employment
  • Environment
  • Industry and entrepreneurship
  • Innovation
  • Investment
  • Science and technology
Related to a theme:
Direct beneficiaries:
Estimated budget expenditure (range per year):
  • 100M-500M
Background including shifts in the policy initiative:
  • On 15 November 2018, the Federal Government adopted its Artificial Intelligence Strategy. It is based on findings from a public consultation and expert workshops.

    In December 2020, the German AI Strategy was reviewed to take into account new developments in the field, especially in the light of the COVID-19-pandemic. The review was based on expert workshops. The German economic stimulus package in response to Covid 19 increased the German AI budget until 2025 by 2 billion Euros. More about the update of the German federal governments updated national AI strategy can be found here (in German): https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2020/12/20201202-kabinett-beschliesst-fortschreibung-ki-strategie-bundesregierung.html
Policy initiative is a structural reform:
  • No
Evaluated:
  • Yes
Link to evaluation or reports:
Public access URL:
Funding from the private sector:
  • No
Type of evaluation:
  • Reviews
Evaluation provides input to:
  • Policy objective formulation
Evaluation performed by:
  • Public administration
Policy instruments :

National strategies, agendas and plans

  • Type : National strategies, agendas and plans
  • Name in English :
  • Country : Germany
  • Public access URL : https://www.ki-strategie-deutschland.de/files/downloads/Fortschreibung_KI-Strategie_engl.pdf
  • Strategy mainly prioritises : Public research capabilities | Technology transfers and commercialisation | Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability)
  • - Quantifiable target, Deadline : Societal challenges (e.g. social inclusiveness); environmental challenges (e.g. sustainability): “AI research to protect the environment and climate”, “making AI environmentally sound”
  • Societal challenge(s) emphasised : Climate change
  • Implementation mechanism : Action plan

Public consultations of stakeholders or experts

  • Type : Public consultations of stakeholders or experts
  • Name in English : National consultation on AI
  • Description : Germany published its Artificial Intelligence Strategy, dubbed “AI Made in Germany” in November 2018. It is based on the results of a national consultation and focuses on strengthening Germany as a centre for AI research, funding private sector AI applications, and providing guidance on ethical, legal, and cultural considerations for using AI in Germany. This includes adapting the legal and regulatory framework, as appropriate, to promote economic growth through AI and improving the talent pipeline.The Federal Government is engaging in dialogue with national and international bodies, including the Data Ethics Commission or the EU Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on AI and will take into account the recommendations of these bodies as it develops standards on ethical aspects at German and European level.
  • Country : Germany
  • Stakeholders contribute to : Policy objective formulation
  • Method : Focus groups | Expert groups/committees
  • Number of participants : 251 to 500

AI co-ordination and/or monitoring bodies

  • Type : AI co-ordination and/or monitoring bodies
  • Name in English : The European Commission will work with the Member States to develop a coordinated action plan on the use of AI technology by the end of 2018. This plan will set out a wide range of measures to be implemented both at national and European level. The Federal Government will provide input for this process at an early stage and assess – on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity – at what level action should be taken and where synergies between EU institutions and the Member States can be leveraged.
  • Description : The European Commission will work with the Member States to develop a coordinated action plan on the use of AI technology by the end of 2018. This plan will set out a wide range of measures to be implemented both at national and European level. The Federal Government will provide input for this process at an early stage and assess – on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity – at what level action should be taken and where synergies between EU institutions and the Member States can be leveraged.
  • Country : Germany
  • Type of coordinating or monitoring body : Coordination or advisory council / committee
  • Reports to : International organisation (e.g. European Commission, UNESCO)
Last updated : Jul 5, 2024
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