Eröffnungsrede beim Gipfel zur Europäischen Digitalen Souveränität

Es gilt das gesprochene Wort.

Vice-President Virkkunen,

Minister Lescure,

Minister Le Hénanff,

Minister Amiel,

Ministers from our European partner countries and from the Länder,

State Secretaries,

Members of the European Parliament and of our national parliaments,

Representatives of industry, business associations and the press,

Dear colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you all here in Berlin.

Today, Germany, France and our European partners are making one thing unmistakably clear: we will shape Europe’s digital future — together. This summit is about digital sovereignty, resilience and competitiveness. We are not here for another ceremony; we are here to work.

After the opening, we move straight into our working sessions:

• on the Digital Omnibus – to clear the way for more innovation
• on the European Digital Identity – as the basis for scalable citizen services,
• and on AI in Europe – our competitiveness and our role in the global race.

Around us, the exhibition showcases outstanding European companies and their capabilities. During the day, we will celebrate European collaborations that matter. We want to scale them. This afternoon, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron will address us – a clear signal, at the highest political level, that digital sovereignty and AI are core strategic priorities for Europe.

But first, please join me in thanking the teams at the Federal Chancellery, in my own ministry and others, in the French government, in the European institutions, and all those working behind the scenes. Thank you for making this summit possible.

Why today is so important for Europe

A few days ago, I met with one of the leading AI researchers. We spoke about the growth AI can unlock, the challenges – but above all, the risk for Europe if we stay on the sidelines instead of playing in the game ourselves. His message was clear: AI will be one of the great growth engines of our time, but only for those who build it, not just buy it.

For Europe, this is about far more than technology. It is about using our own talent, data and values – and avoiding dependence on technologies designed and governed elsewhere. AI, cloud, data and digital infrastructure are our backbone. From the start, these technologies must reflect the democratic values we cherish: freedom, dignity, trust.

But time is running out: innovation is moving at high speed. In this race, speed and scale decide who leads and who follows. Europe should not follow a “me-too strategy”, but pursue a differentiated, innovative, confident European path – and we have the talent to deliver it. This summit should send one clear message: Europe is ready to move from debate to delivery.

What digital sovereignty means

“Digital sovereignty” may sound technical, but in truth it touches almost every part of our lives:

• Who decides what happens to the data that flows through our networks every day?
• Who designs the algorithms that shape what we see, what we buy, even what we believe?
• Who controls the cloud, the infrastructure and the AI systems we increasingly depend on?

Digital sovereignty means that we are not just users of AI, cloud and data technologies, but creators – developing our own solutions, platforms and products to drive growth. It means that we have choices, so no single technology and provider become a dependency that can be used against our interests. Only then can we safeguard our democracy – and unlock the next wave of prosperity.

Let me be very clear: digital sovereignty is not about closing doors. We will continue to work with leading technology companies from around the world. But for too long, Europe has been mainly a customer and a bystander. Now we must become a creator.

Europe is well placed. We have strong industry, excellent research, rich data and a single market of 450 million people. Yet we are not moving fast enough: regulation is too complex and infrastructure still behind. That is why we must now double down – so that more of the cloud, data, compute and AI that will shape our future are developed, deployed and owned here in Europe.

What we are doing – in Germany and in Europe

In May, Germany created a new Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation. Our mission is clear: to modernise the state, cut bureaucracy and use digital technologies – especially AI – to drive growth. In my ministry, AI is a top priority. The state must become an anchor customer for digital and AI solutions so that innovative products are not just tested elsewhere but built and scaled here.

Germany has an updated data-centre, energy and compute strategy, and we are investing in AI factories in research and industry to secure the capacity Europe needs. We want strong European cloud providers and are building partnerships to help them grow. At the same time, we are accelerating our start-up and scale-up ecosystem with better financing.

The European Digital Identity Wallet is a flagship project. It is more than a secure digital ID on your phone – it opens the door to a new generation of European services and innovations that can truly improve people’s lives.

Looking ahead, three things are crucial:

• smarter regulation for innovation,
• deeper cooperation and
• the full participation of European nations and all our companies.

First, smarter regulation for innovation.

Data protection, civil rights and AI safety are non-negotiable. But today, too many rules are designed ex ante, in great detail, long before innovation happens – slowing our innovators while other countries move faster. And we must distinguish much more clearly between B2C and B2B: effective protection for consumers’ personal data, and far more room for responsible data use and experimentation in industrial and research settings.

Europe must shift from a culture of blocking risks to a culture of enabling progress – with clearer, simpler rules, faster procedures and real space to experiment. This does not weaken risk management; it makes it more effective. The Digital Omnibus must take an important step in this direction. Our goal must be clear: Europe should remain a champion of rights – and become a champion of innovation.

Second, deeper European collaboration.

No country can master this transformation alone. We value partnerships like the Franco-German partnership and the many others – and we want all Member States on board. Today we will announce new partnerships between companies from across Europe. This is the spirit we need: competition where it makes us stronger, cooperation where it makes the difference.

Third, unlocking the full power of our market and our data.

Europe has 450 million customers – and some of the richest industrial and research data in the world – a unique asset. We must make it easier for start-ups, SMEs and large companies to reach this market and to use this data in a sovereign way: to build better products, smarter factories, cleaner, reliable and affordable energy, and better healthcare.

Our SMEs – the backbone of Germany’s and many European economies – must be fully part of this AI and data race. If we get this right, we will not only protect our values; we will turn them into a competitive advantage.

AI – Europe’s strategic turning point

With AI, the cards of digitalisation are being reshuffled. AI is not just the next stage – it is a new paradigm. For the first time, machines begin to rival what has made us unique: our intelligence. AI will transform the way we think, work and solve problems.

One thing is clear: no sustainable prosperity without AI, no competitiveness without AI, no sovereign future without AI.

One point is especially important to me: AI is not just a tool – it is a fundamental strategic capability.

AI is our opportunity to rethink life, work and the economy – and to tackle major challenges in health, energy and security. If we decisively scale applications, diffuse AI, and build new business models for Germany, Europe and the world, AI can become our comeback – the digital comeback for Europe.

Being serious about the future today means being serious about AI.

To the start-ups, the SMEs, the established companies, the investors, the researchers, policy makers and all the ecosystem partners: your ideas, your courage and your hard work are Europe’s real engine.

To all European colleagues and institutions – thank you for your commitment and collaboration. You are the ones who keep Europe’s engine aligned and moving forward together.

And I express my special gratitude to Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Emmanuel Macron. Their leadership and their support send a strong signal that digital sovereignty and AI are core strategic priorities for Europe’s future.

I wish for a Europe that wants to build, not just buy.

I wish for a Europe that has the courage to fully enable our people, talents and companies to unleash their potential.

I wish for a Europe that recognises how important speed and scale are – as the currency for greater growth and prosperity.

The digital future is being coded. Let’s make sure Europe sits in front of the screen, hands on the keyboard.

Thank you.