Germany plans to double data centres by 2030 to compete with US and China in AI race

Germany seeks doubling of AI data centres by 2030

BERLIN, March 17 (Reuters) - Germany plans to encourage investments in data centres to at least double domestic capacity and to boost artificial intelligence data processing at least fourfold by 2030, the government said on Tuesday. In a bid to catch up with the dominant players the United States and China, digital minister Karsten Wildberger proposed a range of measures, including dedicating land for development, ⁠that ministers are due to approve on Wednesday. ($1 = 0.8640 euros) Reporting by Andreas Rinke Writing by Ludwig Burger Editing by Madeline Chambers Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Germany vows to double data centre capacity by 2030

Germany on Wednesday pledged to double its data centre capacity by 2030 as Europe's top economy looks on nervously at the power of American tech giants. "By 2030, we aim to at least double our data centre capacity and quadruple our capacity for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing," said Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger. Germany on Wednesday pledged to double its data centre capacity by 2030 as Europe's top economy looks on nervously at the power of American tech giants. "By 2030, we aim to at least double our data centre capacity and quadruple our capacity for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing," said Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger. "Without a massive increase in capacity, we will not be able to keep pace in the global race for AI," he told a press conference. "Every new data centre in Germany strengthens our digital sovereignty," he added. Spooked by a lack of big European tech champions to compete with US giants, EU leaders have scrambled to build out digital infrastructure and pushed "digital sovereignty" as an alternative to reliance on US technology. The worries have only grown as US President Donald Trump's administration has taken a more confrontational tone with EU leaders on issues from trade to defence. Harald Wehnes, professor of computer science at the University of Wuerzburg, praised the government's strategy but told AFP that building out capacity did not by itself guarantee digital sovereignty. "Computing power is the raw material of the digital age. Those who lack their own will inevitably outsource innovation and control over their data abroad, running the risk of becoming a digital colony," he said. "But a Google or Amazon Web Services data centre in Frankfurt is still subject to US law," he added. "Real sovereignty only comes once operators are fully subject to European law." Speaking alongside Wildberger, Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said the government would speed up approval procedures and try and provide cheap energy as part of the strategy. "This strategy is based on the belief that data centres are about more than just digital policy," she said. "It is industrial policy. It is energy policy. It is infrastructure policy."

Germany aims to double data centre capacity by 2030 By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Germany plans to at least double its domestic data centre capacity and boost artificial intelligence data processing fourfold by 2030, the government said on Tuesday. Digital minister Karsten Wildberger proposed measures including dedicating land for development, which ministers are set to approve on Wednesday. The initiative aims to help Germany catch up with the United States and China in the sector. Under the new scheme, municipal business taxes will go to the town or city that attracts a new data centre, rather than to where the company is headquartered. Regulatory reviews are set to speed up, and collaboration between different companies in the AI supply chain will be encouraged. "We welcome investment from third countries," according to a document published by the digital ministry. The government is primarily targeting European and German companies for investment. Amazon, Microsoft and Google are among the biggest spenders on German data infrastructure. German players include Deutsche Telekom and unlisted Schwarz Group. AI data centres in Germany had total capacity of 530 MW at the end of last year, much of that operated by non-German providers, according to figures from German lobby group Bitkom. European countries are pushing for more sovereign control over AI infrastructure due to a rise in tariffs, armed conflicts and sharply diverging online-content regulation. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

Germany seeks doubling of AI data centres by 2030

BERLIN, March 17 (Reuters) - Germany plans to encourage investments in data centres to at least double domestic capacity and to boost artificial intelligence data processing at least fourfold by 2030, the government said on Tuesday. In a bid to catch up with the dominant players the United States and China, digital minister Karsten Wildberger proposed a range of measures, including dedicating land for development, that ministers are due to approve on Wednesday. (Reporting by Andreas RinkeWriting by Ludwig BurgerEditing by Madeline Chambers)