00:00We in Germany, we do a lot of work when it comes to government modernization, when it comes to AI, digitization.
00:08So it's a great forum to exchange ideas and to discuss partnerships. So it's great to be here.
00:14And how central is digitalization to Europe's long-term competitiveness?
00:19And what specific role should Germany play as the EU's largest economy?
00:24Well, it's critically important for us and we are embracing it at full speed.
00:28I would say AI is actually the next technology that we can use to leapfrog and that we're doing that.
00:37So we're applying AI at scale in the government and we want to accelerate this.
00:43And of course, also our industry is using AI. Think about our great industries, applying it.
00:49We sit off tons of data. So that's the future.
00:53Where do you see the EU currently falling behind global competitors such as the US and China in digital transformation and digital infrastructure?
01:03Where does Europe still have its own advantage?
01:07Well, I think we have a lot of work to do to get the regulation more innovation friendly.
01:11I think we've taken the first steps, but I think I would like us to see to do much more of that.
01:17But what's our competitive advantage? Three things.
01:21First, we have fantastic research also in AI and research institutes also in Germany.
01:27And that's something we're leveraging.
01:29Secondly, we have fantastic industries with lots of domain expertise and lots of data.
01:36How do we use this also in the AI age?
01:39And if you look at the dynamics in Germany, for instance, on the startup side, we had record numbers last year.
01:46So there's a lot of innovation from the ground and we need more of that.
01:50There's lots geopolitically, as we know, happening in the region.
01:52Your chancellor's here at the moment as well.
01:54Very important talks happening, I guess, behind those doors.
01:57Absolutely. We are seeking partnerships everywhere.
02:00We also like our established partnerships, but we are also open to new partnerships.
02:06And I think we are very pragmatic.
02:09We see lots of countries who would not like to do the same thing.
02:13And I think we're just better off with great partnerships.
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