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Federal government uses artificial intelligence more frequently

KI brings changes not only in Economy and Society, but also in Politics. The traffic light government in the Federal Republic strongly relies on AI, despite the lacking binding standards.

,   and  Anthony Ross
3 min read
The Federal Criminal Police Office tests AI for facial recognition.
The Federal Criminal Police Office tests AI for facial recognition.

Application in Bundestag - Federal government uses artificial intelligence more frequently

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Federal Ministries and associated federal agencies is on the rise. This is evident from the Federal Government's response to a parliamentary inquiry by Digital Politician Anke Domscheit-Berg (The Left) obtained by the German Press Agency. According to the response, the number of active AI projects and applications within a year has more than doubled from around 100 to over 212.

The use of AI varies greatly from ministry to ministry. The Economy and Climate Ministry led by Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) is at the forefront with 44 projects. The ministry uses AI for common applications such as text analysis or transcription. AI also assists specialized agencies like the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources in tasks like rock analysis and soil profile photo analysis.

The Interior Ministry, led by Nancy Faeser (SPD), is in second place with 40 AI projects. The ministry uses AI for video data analysis and railway station security. The Federal Criminal Office experiments with AI for fingerprint recognition (fingerprints) and facial recognition. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) uses AI for cybersecurity and IT protection of the Federal Government.

70% of the 212 AI projects of the Federal Government are at the four leading AI ministries.

The Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (35) is in third place in terms of the number of AI applications. Here, AI is used to detect forest fires faster and more effectively. The Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure (30) ranks fourth. The German Meteorological Service (DWD), which falls under the jurisdiction of Digital Minister Volker Wissing (FDP), is an intensive user of AI. The DWD uses AI primarily for improving climate models and for weather and climate forecasts. 70% of the 212 AI projects of the Federal Government are at the four leading AI ministries.

It is not clear from the Federal Government's response whether and to what extent the Defense Ministry uses AI systems. However, 16 million Euros were allocated for AI at the Bundeswehr in the 2023 budget. It is also publicly known that there is an AI laboratory of the armed forces.

Blackbox Bundeswehr and Intelligence Services

The Federal Government cannot provide insights into the use of AI by the intelligence services, i.e., the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), Military Counter-Intelligence Service (MAD), and Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). This information is "confidential for reasons of state security," the response states.

Domscheit-Berg criticized the way the Federal Government approaches AI in practice. "What initially appears to be an innovation push in a previously rather analog-described administration has its dark sides." The Federal Government's response reveals that it has no implementation strategy for this risky technology. "They have not yet made progress in terms of competence building or the establishment of planned support structures."

There is no single place that provides an overview of AI use in the Federal Government, Domscheit-Berg stated. The long-promised AI advisory center is still only in planning. There is a lack of binding guidelines for standards and processes, such as risk assessment, cost-benefit ratio, or sustainability.

  1. The Federal Military is not explicitly mentioned in the Federal Government's response regarding AI usage, but the allocation of 16 million Euros for AI at the Bundeswehr implies some level of adoption.
  2. Robert Habeck, the Vice-Chancellor, leads the Economy and Climate Ministry, which has the highest number of active AI projects among federal ministries.
  3. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, an associated federal agency, utilizes AI for tasks like rock analysis and soil profile photo analysis.
  4. Nancy Faeser, the Digital Minister from the SPD, heads the Interior Ministry, which boasts the second-highest number of AI projects.
  5. The BKA, a subordinate agency under the Federal Interior Ministry, experiments with AI for fingerprint recognition and facial recognition.
  6. The Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture is in third place in terms of the number of AI applications, with AI being used to detect forest fires faster and more effectively.
  7. The German Press Agency obtained the Federal Government's response to a parliamentary inquiry by Digital Politician Anke Domscheit-Berg (The Left) regarding AI usage.
  8. The SDP, one of Germany's political parties, is represented by Digital Minister Faeser, who is actively involved in managing AI projects within the Federal Government.
  9. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) is one of the agencies under the Federal Government that uses AI to enhance cybersecurity and protect IT infrastructure.
  10. The Federal Parliament has shown interest in the use of AI within various federal ministries and agencies, leading to an inquiry by Digital Politician Anke Domscheit-Berg (The Left) into the matter.

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