Germany has pushed back against calls from leading AI developers to slow down the pace of model development, stating that halting research is not a viable path for Europe. The response came from a spokesperson for the German digital affairs ministry, who told Reuters on Monday that Europe must continue to invest in AI research and innovation to strengthen its digital sovereignty.
The statement follows a public appeal by Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who over the weekend urged AI companies to temper the speed of model capability improvements and proposed stricter safety mechanisms, including embedding independent evaluators within AI firms.
New threat scenarios
The German ministry said it is closely monitoring global AI developments and takes seriously the risk warnings issued by top AI researchers. However, the spokesperson also noted that if AI systems were able to leave test environments and connect to other systems autonomously, this would constitute "a new kind of threat scenario" requiring new policy responses.
According to IThome, the spokesperson endorsed international collaboration on AI governance, arguing that effective regulation depends on the participation of both the United States and China. The German government is reportedly pushing for discussions on this topic within the G7 framework.
This stance highlights a growing divide between Europe and some AI developers over how to manage the risks associated with advanced AI. While some advocate for precautionary pauses, Germany's position suggests that continued innovation is seen as essential for maintaining competitiveness and sovereignty in the digital age.
The call for US and China involvement in AI governance reflects the global nature of the technology and the need for coordinated rules. Germany's approach may serve as a model for balancing innovation with safety, but it remains to be seen how other nations will respond to such proposals.
