Germany’s Merz says industrial AI needs less stringent EU regulation

HANOVER – Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that artificial intelligence for industrial use will require more regulatory freedom in the European Union than other AI areas such as consumer use to boost productivity.

“I will push to ease the regulatory burden in the EU on AI and, where possible, to exempt industrial AI from the current regulatory straightjacket that is too tight for AI within the European Union,” Merz said in a speech at the annual industrial fair Hannover Messe.

“AI will contribute to greater efficiency and productivity, optimised use of resources and, above all, reduced costs,” he added.

Germany has been eager to catch up with dominant AI players the United States and China in a global race to master a transformational technology and attract high-income jobs.

Last month, Berlin unveiled plans to encourage investments to boost AI data processing capacity at least fourfold by 2030. — Reuters