When it comes to digitalization, Germany is in a better position than is commonly believed. But there is still a lot of room for improvement – especially in data management and artificial intelligence. This is the message that Digital Minister Volker Vissing (FDP), Economics Minister Robert Haabach (Greens) and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) brought to Frankfurt on the first day of the federal government’s digital summit.
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Olaf Scholz also believes that there is too much dependence on other countries. But it’s not too late to push for more sovereignty: “We have a chance to secure it. But it’s a big challenge for us.” But now the time has come for a decade of progress and digitalization.
The Chancellor stressed that he is willing to talk about existing rules and called on businesses to articulate concrete requirements: “The only thing that doesn’t help is abstract talk.” For example, the Chancellor sees opportunities to readjust the use of data. The relationship between data protection and data use will have to be “re-adjusted,” Scholz said.
Haebek and Vissing will also join the trend on Monday. But the federal government remained unclear at the summit about what exactly this should look like – the only thing currently expected and announced is a research data law aimed at enabling expanded use of personal data.
“Not the center of the world”
With regard to AI, Vice Chancellor Robert Habach warned that Germany is not the “navel of the world”. “That’s not the case in any area anymore.” But Digital Minister Volker Vissing said, “The train has not left yet.” Promising projects in the field of AI are emerging in Germany and Europe.
According to a statement issued at the summit Survey by Bitcom Association Companies that are concerned with AI and are already using it see more opportunities and fewer problems than companies that are still far from using it. Taking advantage of these opportunities, especially with trustworthy AI, is critical now, says Vissing.
However, it is already clear that the Federal Network Agency should be the lead supervisor for the AI Act in Germany. The Federal Network Agency is already partly a market surveillance authority, i.e. responsible for compliance with product regulations, especially for wireless devices. At KI, he must now work closely with other bodies to ensure that new EU rules are complied with.
But it is still not clear what powers should be given to the regulatory authority. This also applies to the Federal Network Agency’s role as coordinator of the Digital Services Act. What’s still missing here: posts. Budget talks in the Bundestag are currently debating how the necessary additional posts can be created despite the austerity budget. The DSA clearly regulates how the supervisory body should be equipped. If Germany does not do enough here, there could be a risk of EU infringement proceedings.
DSA: wrong discussion
DSA is also being discussed in Frankfurt – after vigorous criticism of DSA and so-called “trusted flag bearers”, summit participants have been irritated by the debate. Daniela Kluckert, parliamentary state secretary at the BMDV, points out that the DSA requires moderation of illegal content and does not generally regulate “hate and incitement”. Google’s Lutz Mache points out that Trusted Fahrner was introduced on YouTube 10 years ago – and the concept has proven itself.
But beyond that, there are several points about DSA that are worth discussing. The EU Commission’s Prabhat Aggarwal reports on ideas in individual member states to create more regulation beyond the DSA. The DSA should actually regulate the requirements for providers in the EU so that the same rules apply everywhere in the Common Internal Market.
Josephine Ballon of “HateEd” criticizes, “The promise of transparency has so far only been fulfilled behind closed doors.” It is important that researchers and civil society learn more about the actual practices of both platforms. Otherwise the role of organizations like HateAid will be limited and there is an urgent need for reform.
Digital Ministry: Not so with Habré
Does Germany finally need a digital ministry after the next elections? Chancellor candidate Habek believes that the tasks of different ministries in digitalization are very diverse. Vissing emphasizes that he is already the digital minister and that the House has made good progress this legislative period. At least Vissing didn’t want to rule out the possibility of eliminating the digital part.
(vbr)
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