A significant geopolitical struggle looms for Europe regarding the future of artificial intelligence, according to former German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Addressing an event hosted by Der Stern magazine in Berlin, Merkel characterized the emerging landscape as a “major battle” against the United States, highlighting critical concerns about digital sovereignty and algorithmic control.
Merkel emphasized the necessity of establishing clear boundaries surrounding the development and deployment of AI, warning that the ability to shape digital media and exert influence over algorithmic design will be a decisive factor in the years to come. She specifically questioned who dictates the parameters of these powerful technologies, asserting that urgent regulation is required to ensure human oversight and ethical considerations remain paramount. “At the end of the day, humans must be able to decide about every new technology” she stated, advocating for the implementation of robust, enforceable rules.
Her commentary extended to a sharp critique of ChatGPT, the increasingly popular AI chatbot. Merkel dismissed its hesitancy in assessing her own legacy as “cowardly” accusing the model of readily conforming to user prompts, effectively echoing pre-programmed biases or external influence. “ChatGPT is cowardly” she declared, highlighting a deeper concern about the potential for AI to be manipulated to deliver pre-determined narratives and stifle independent evaluation – a dynamic with profound implications for the integrity of information and the future of political discourse. The criticism underscores growing unease within Europe regarding the dominance of US-based AI development and the associated risks of relinquishing control over foundational technologies.