“Germany is still in the starting blocks in the AI race” – eco – Association of the Internet Industry Calls for a Turbo Boost for Germany as an AI Location

• eco outlines 5 levers for AI breakthrough in Germany

With the official publication of the draft bill for the national implementation of the AI Act, the decisive phase for regulating artificial intelligence in Germany has begun. As part of the ongoing association participation, eco - Association of the Internet Industry warns against a lack of coordination between the responsible authorities and calls for practical implementation.

"AI is the operating system of the future - and Germany cannot afford to be just a user here. We must become shapers," says Oliver Süme, Chair of the Board of the eco Association. "For this, companies now need legal certainty, investment incentives and a high-performance digital infrastructure."

Artificial intelligence is already transforming entire industries and areas of life - from factories to doctors' offices to town halls. But while other countries are picking up speed and implementing solutions, Germany is losing valuable time and remains stuck in the role of observer. eco therefore sees five key levers for the AI breakthrough in Germany: clear rules, strong networks, targeted funding, effective supervision, and an administration that itself becomes a driver of innovation.

eco identifies five levers that are now crucial for Germany as an AI location:

"The question is not whether we regulate AI - but whether we manage to enable innovation at the same time, ideally even accelerate it," says Süme. "Germany needs an AI strategy that inspires excitement for the technological future instead of fuelling fear of risks."

1. Legal certainty instead of legal uncertainty - Clarify the AI Act, resolve open questions, launch real-world laboratories. Only with clear rules can companies plan AI projects and develop them risk-free, without being slowed down by unclear regulations.
2. AI supervision with an understanding of business practice - the German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) as the central authority, SME support instead of bureaucratic jungle. Practical supervision ensures that companies receive support and that regulations are applied uniformly, instead of despairing in bureaucratic pitfalls. This also requires a permanent advisory board that involves all relevant stakeholders and structures the exchange of information. Equally crucial are clear processes for coordination between the competent public authorities in order to avoid contradictory requirements and ensure consistent application of the AI Act.
3. Unleash innovation - Tax advantages, smart funding programmes, AI skills for the workforce of tomorrow. Targeted funding and skills development enable companies to implement new AI solutions more quickly and prepare employees for the future.
4. World-class digital infrastructure - Data centres, high-speed networks and affordable energy. Only with high-performance networks, modern data centres and stable energy prices can AI applications be operated and scaled efficiently.
5. Administration as an AI pioneer - Use in the public sector, best practices at EU level, the public sector as an anchor customer. When public authorities consistently use AI, they improve their processes, set practical standards and, at the same time, create a stable market for innovative AI solutions.

eco's core demands for a competitive AI location (German-language)