A Transatlantic AI Innovation Agenda?

Opportunities for the New German Government and the United States

Artificial intelligence is a key emerging technology for the economic and industrial future and is increasingly used in systems and applications that are transforming societies in Germany and the United States. On both sides of the Atlantic, governments are seeking to foster greater AI innovation and at the same time mitigate privacy concerns and prevent AI risks. They are also more proactive in seeking cooperation to both promote shared liberal democratic values and advance common economic interests through AI.

Germany’s future policy for AI innovation at the national and EU level will shape transatlantic cooperation on this issue. The three parties that form the new German government, the Social Democrats (SPD), the Green Party, and the Free Democrats (FDP), have pledged stronger government support to facilitate AI entrepreneurship as well as more cooperation with European partners on AI research in their coalition agreement. They also promised to boost AI development and support regulation at the European level. Will the new government in Berlin succeed in transforming Germany into a major AI innovation hub? What opportunities could future German AI policy generate for the transatlantic partnership?

In the United States, startups and established tech companies continue to drive AI innovation in the commercial space, while the U.S. government is increasingly investing in AI-related defense technologies and research into AI fairness. Efforts are also underway—notably through the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council—to develop and implement trustworthy and human-centric AI with European partners.

Speakers

Tyson Barker, Head of Technology and Global Affairs Program, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

Dr. Dr. Charina Chou, Global Policy Lead for Emerging Technologies, Google

Dr. Anna Christmann, Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy and Federal Government Coordinator of the Digital Economy and Start-ups, Member of the German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens

Moderator

Peter Rashish, Senior Fellow and Director, Geoeconomics Program, AGI

This event is supported by and presented in partnership with the Heinrich Boell Foundation Washington, DC.