Funding

In November 2018, Germany announced its plan to invest €3.4 billion to boost the nation's AI capabilities and research over the next six years In a plan approved by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The decision was reached by Merkel's cabinet following a two-day seminar which focused on the many digital challenges Europe's largest economy faced. The $3.4 billion the German government plans to invest in AI over coming years is expected to be matched by private sector companies, bringing the total investment to $6.8 billion. Other facets of the new AI strategy include a commitment to build 12 new AI R&D centers and create 100 university chairs also focused on developing AI capabilities.