Merz Calls for Looser EU AI Rules for Industrial Use

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for a more flexible regulatory environment for industrial artificial intelligence within the European Union, arguing that current frameworks are too restrictive for the manufacturing sector. Speaking at the Hannover Messe, an event attended by major regional economic players such as HANNOVER RUECK SE, Merz emphasized that industrial AI requires more freedom than consumer-facing applications to successfully drive productivity. The Chancellor noted that Germany would advocate for a significant reduction in the regulatory burden at the European level to ensure the continent remains competitive. > "I will push to ease the regulatory burden in the EU on AI and, where possible, to exempt industrial AI from the current regulatory straightjacket that is too tight for AI within the European Union." Merz highlighted that the integration of advanced technologies is essential as Europe faces intense global competition from the United States and China. He argued that mastering these transformational tools is the key to attracting high-income jobs and maintaining an industrial edge. > "AI will contribute to greater efficiency and productivity, optimised use of resources and, above all, reduced costs." To support this technological shift, Berlin recently unveiled plans to encourage massive investments in infrastructure. The government aims to increase the nation's AI data processing capacity at least fourfold by 2030, seeking to catch up with dominant global players in the race for digital supremacy.