Berlin – November 05, 2026 -- The Wirtschaftsrat der CDU is presenting Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger with its AI strategy paper "Deutschland 2030 - Auf dem Weg zur KI-Nation" at the Wirtschaftstag der Innovationen (WTI) in Berlin. The paper outlines how Germany can take a leading role in industrial AI application and how the Mittelstand can be supported in a targeted way.
The event runs under the theme "Empowering Europe: Digitale Souveränität als Standortfaktor und Wettbewerbsmotor". It is streamed free of charge from 9:00 to 20:30 on wti26.de.
Wirtschaftsrat calls for energy, digital infrastructure and usable data to unlock AI value
Wolfgang Steiger, the Wirtschaftsrat's secretary general, said Germany has good prerequisites to be a front-runner in AI, with industry offering particularly large opportunities. Capturing that value requires high-performance energy and digital infrastructure, economically usable data and competitive framework conditions that promote AI use, especially among mid-sized companies. Steiger urged policymakers to make investment easier and remove unnecessary hurdles.
Three further position papers target cybersecurity, administration and education
The Wirtschaftsrat completed three additional position papers for the WTI, which are also being handed to political representatives:
- Cybersecurity: priorities for strengthening Germany's digital resilience and the competitiveness of its cybersecurity industry.
- Administrative digitalization: calls for simpler bureaucratic procedures and greater shared use of digital solutions by federal, state and municipal authorities.
- Education policy: examines the economic consequences of inadequate education and calls for better transitions from school and university into work, plus stronger in-company training.
Wirtschaftsrat president Hamker opens event with focus on framework conditions
Astrid Hamker, president of the Wirtschaftsrat, opens the WTI. She argued that European firms too often fail not because of a lack of ideas or entrepreneurial courage, but because of the conditions they operate under. In her view, digital sovereignty does not require Europe to develop every technology itself or to isolate itself from international competition.
Government, competition and Big Tech officials among speakers
Speakers include Dr. Karsten Wildberger, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and State Modernization, and CDU Secretary General Franziska Hoppermann. Philipp Amthor, State Minister for Federal-State Cooperation, also appears, alongside Andreas Mundt, president of the Federal Cartel Office. Renate Nikolay, deputy director-general of the European Commission's DG CONNECT, and Philipp Justus, country manager and VP Central Europe at Google, are on the program. Prof. Dr. Julia Knopf, founding partner of Didactic Innovations GmbH and head of the Forschungsinstitut Bildung Digital, completes the list named in the announcement.