Germany Chancellor Merz says AI must be ‘guided by human values’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advocated for the development of artificial intelligence to be consistently guided by human values. Addressing government's Digital Summit in Berlin, Merz stressed that human dignity must remain central in political efforts to manage rapid technological progress. He noted that while institutions may seem slow to react, this is a deliberate process that allows human needs and fundamental social constants to set the pace.

Under the summit's theme of 'Shaping AI: safe, sovereign, competitive', Merz emphasized the need for Germany and Europe to achieve greater digital sovereignty. He unveiled a two-pronged strategy, aiming to develop industrially viable AI models in the short term to protect business competitiveness, while also accelerating research into future AI models, such as physical AI.

Merz underscored the importance of international collaboration, calling for knowledge sharing and diversified supply chains with countries like France and Canada. He also highlighted Germany's significant economic potential as a business location, especially in mechanical engineering and electronics.

Drawing on a quote from Pope Leo XIV, Merz cautioned against blindly entrusting AI systems with excessive responsibility. He stressed that setting rules for digital transformation and safeguarding the technological foundations of freedom is a shared responsibility of politics, business, and society.