Digital Ministry: Wildberger initiates a revolution in the economy!

On May 5th, Karsten Wildberger was appointed Federal Minister for Digitalization and State Modernization. This marks the first creation of an independent digital ministry in Germany. Wildberger brings extensive experience from his previous career in leading positions at companies such as T-Mobile, Vodafone, Telstra and E.ON. He is currently CEO of Ceconomy AG and managing director of MediaMarktSaturn-Holding GmbH, where he particularly focuses on cross-channel business models that link online and stationary retail.

Wildberger's appointment was received positively by business associations. However, the digital association Bitkom warns that the newly founded digital ministry must have clear responsibilities. Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst underlines the urgency of a real digital minister to advance digital policy in Germany. In addition, the Federal Association of the Digital Economy (BVDW), together with the KI Bundesverband, is calling for a precise allocation of responsibilities in digital policy and a significant expansion of the infrastructure for key technologies.

Digital policy in focus

According to a study by Bitkom, only a third of the digital projects agreed in the coalition agreement have so far been fully implemented. In the coming legislative period, digital transformation will be a particular focus in order to promote the economy. Wildberger will focus on the expansion of fiber optic and 5G networks, the digitalization of administration and the support of artificial intelligence.

Bitkom also emphasizes that numerous digital policy projects are set out in the coalition agreement. These include, among other things, state modernization, bureaucracy reduction, economic growth and digital sovereignty. In order to successfully implement the projects, rapid clarity about financing and responsibilities is necessary. An accelerated law on fiber optic laying and measures to strengthen the data center location in Germany are also in focus economy-tv.com reported.

In addition, key technologies such as artificial intelligence and microelectronics will be promoted in order to strengthen digital sovereignty. The Digital Ministry will also serve as a platform for introducing the “Digital-Only & Once-Only” principle for administrative services, while bureaucratic hurdles for startups and start-ups will be reduced.

However, Bitkom also criticizes that relevant topics in digital policy, such as the potential of artificial intelligence in healthcare or the financing of the Digital Pact 2.0 in the education sector, are not sufficiently addressed. The planned national cybersecurity strategy also remains vague, which emphasizes the need for the federal government to clearly prioritize the projects. Further details are on bitkom.org to find.