eco: Artificial Intelligence Needs a High-Performance Digital Infrastructure

Commenting on the “Master Plan Artificial Intelligence” being discussed by the German federal cabinet today, Oliver Süme, Chair of eco has the following to say:

“The German federal government has recognized that Artificial Intelligence has a high degree of relevance for the future of Germany as a business location and that we have to position ourselves as quickly as possible in order not to be left behind on the world market, particularly by China and the USA.”

eco urges a constructive approach to ethical questions regarding AI and digitalization

Süme emphasizes in particular the importance of ethical issues in connection with Artificial Intelligence and digitalization. “It is to be welcomed that, with their master plan, this debate is also being taken up by the German federal government. From the perspective of the Internet industry, the development of algorithms with high ethical standards in particular could represent a competitive advantage for Germany. We hope that the master plan will turn out to be constructive in principle. In our view, strict legal regulation and restrictive containment of digital business models would not be the answer to ethical questions, and it also would send the wrong signal for Germany as a location for innovation and digital technology.”

The German federal government must develop a strategy to strengthen Germany as a data center location

The eco Chair also points out that Artificial Intelligence only functions on the strength of a high-performance digital infrastructure. “Only a perfectly functioning ecosystem of hardware – in the form of high-performance digital infrastructures – and key software technologies provides the ideal basis for secure and trustworthy applications of Artificial Intelligence. A strong data center landscape is indispensable to ensuring Germany’s digital self-determination, especially in the area of AI. With this in mind, the German federal government must develop a consistent strategy to strengthen Germany’s position as a data center location and accord just as much attention to aspects of international competitiveness and technological innovation for providers and users as it does to aspects of data security and the digital supply of the economy and society.”