Germany is nearly doubling public investment in artificial intelligence (AI) research to nearly 1 billion euros over the next two years, in an effort to close the gap with countries led by China and the United States.
The above budget target is still a modest figure compared to the $ 3.3 billion that the US government has spent on AI research by 2022, according to a report from Stanford University (USA), Reuters reported
The push to invest in AI comes as Germany tries to pull its economy out of recession while two key industries, autos and chemicals, face stiff competition from manufacturers. emerging electric vehicle production and rising fuel costs.
Germany plans to create 150 new laboratories at universities to research AI, expand data centers, and create access to complex public data systems from which AI techniques can be used. offers new insights: An important job in a country where cash transactions are ubiquitous and faxes are not yet extinct.
The Stanford report shows that AI spending from the private sector is dwarfing that of the US, reaching $47.4 billion by 2022, nearly double Europe’s spending and well ahead of $13.4 billion by the US. China.
German Education and Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger said that the emerging European regulatory framework, which focuses on privacy and personal safety, could attract users to Germany as well as promote cooperation in the European Union.
“Our AI is explainable, trustworthy, and transparent. That’s a competitive advantage,” said Secretary Stark-Watzinger. Simplifying regulations will spur investment in AI research from the private sector, she added.
Minister Stark-Watzinger acknowledged that the number of AI startups in the country has doubled by 2023 but that still only puts Germany in 9th place globally in the field.