Germany lags behind other countries in terms of digitization and innovation, indicates Marseille. This is partly due to a long-standing fear of giving free rein to technologies. “Always that German angst.”
Downside
The German government says it wants to make plans in the field of regulation. For example, there is talk of a supervisor, something the German business community has objections to. “By embracing artificial intelligence, they want to take a step towards recovery in the field of digitization.”
Chancellor Scholz’s ruling German party thinks otherwise. “She IS a major voice in this.” With this, the German leader also joins plans to limit the possibilities of AI at a European level. But above all the fact that Scholz emphasizes the reduction is against the aching leg.
“I think many businesses would be happy if they had fast internet”
For example, the president of the German Startup Association fears “a blanket of controls” in this sector. In combination with European legislation, this is too limiting a factor. But Germany really wants to step up, says Marseille.
“The technology is not ethical and it is also not clear what the consequences of certain applications might be.” The German media are now making comparisons with weapons of mass destruction, nuclear war and the pandemic. “This now dominates the German headlines and the government must respond.”
Fast internet
The question is whether Scholz can get enough support for his plans to regulate artificial intelligence. Furthermore, according to Marseille, it is not yet clear what the opportunities and dangers of AI are. Another factor is that businesses are more likely to need a good foundation. “I think many businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, will be happy if they have fast internet.”
That doesn’t mean the worries are unfounded. The automotive industry is collapsing, as is Germany’s competitiveness. ‘Where are the new big companies that can also make an impact on a global scale? Artificial intelligence can offer opportunities here,” says Marseille. This technology could also be used in education. “But many German schools don’t even have an interactive whiteboard in the classroom.”
NO
It shows that Germany mostly cares about itself when it comes to digital innovation and the application of new technologies. “The business community is now saying that the typical German culture of fear of always minimizing risks first should be abandoned.” But in that area, German computers still say first ‘NO’.