Germany pledges €3bn investment in artificial intelligence

Germany will spend €3 billion to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities over the next six years, as part of a belated effort by Berlin to catch up with leading AI nations such as China and the United States. The spending pledge is part of a national AI strategy approved by Angela Merkel's cabinet on Thursday, following a two-day seminar on digital challenges attended by the chancellor and her ministers. Berlin expects federal funding to be matched by the private sector, taking investment to at least €6 billion. "Today, Germany cannot claim to be among the world leaders in artificial intelligence," Ms Merkel told journalists after the meeting. "Our aspiration is to make'Made in Germany' a trademark also in artificial intelligence, and to ensure that Germany takes its place as one of the leading [AI] countries in the world."