German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are joining forces to champion greater European control over the digital economy, signalling a push for “digital sovereignty” amid the global race for artificial intelligence. The leaders will set out their vision Tuesday at a Berlin summit, attended by top executives from regional tech companies, including French AI firm Mistral and German software giant SAP.
As AI grows increasingly central to industry, policymakers in Europe are pressing for reduced reliance on American tech giants, while also addressing broader concerns over dependence on Chinese hardware and other Asian imports. The issue has gained urgency under the administration of US President Donald Trump, whose critiques of long-standing transatlantic ties have stoked anxiety over Europe’s technological autonomy.
German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger said the summit’s “core message” will be that Europe is prepared to shape its own digital future. “We can make better progress by working together,” he added during the opening of an 11-billion-euro ($12.8 billion) data centre near Berlin, a project emblematic of Europe’s ambitions to build local infrastructure.
The European Union, often criticised for lagging behind the US and China in AI development, plans to propose a partial rollback of its AI and data protection regulations later this week, a topic expected to dominate discussions. Businesses on both sides of the Atlantic have previously complained that EU rules hinder innovation, though critics argue that relaxing safeguards risks prioritising competitiveness over citizens’ privacy.
Summit discussions will also focus on building “sovereign” cloud computing capabilities, which proponents argue would protect European data from dominance by US providers such as Google, AWS, and Microsoft. The agenda includes fostering fairer digital markets and encouraging competition between governments and industry, reflecting the continent’s desire to chart a more independent course in technology policy.
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Merz and Macron are scheduled to give keynote addresses in the afternoon, followed by a dinner with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though officials have not disclosed the topics of discussion. Several announcements regarding new digital initiatives are expected.
According to a survey by German digital business association Bitkom, roughly 90% of German companies importing digital goods or services report some dependence on foreign providers, underscoring the strategic stakes of the summit. Europe’s leaders hope that by investing in homegrown infrastructure, regulation, and collaboration, the continent can secure a stronger, more autonomous role in the next wave of technological innovation.