Just ask Iranians. Remember, Leopards and Tesla’s trucks are good matches. Therefore, the Germany’s high-tech agenda is funny:
"Grab a roadmap quickly—it’s going to change again soon anyway," the minister tells the press. She knows what she is talking about. The High-Tech Agenda is an undertaking that is constantly evolving and outpacing itself. Dorothee Bär has dedicated a full week to ushering in the next stage of this major project, which aims to propel Germany to the global forefront of six key technologies. It is—as is frequently emphasized—a collaborative effort that can only succeed if all the ministries involved pull together, yet it remains, first and foremost, the Research Minister’s initiative.
Last Wednesday, Bär presented six roadmaps outlining the goals to be achieved, the measures required, and the metrics for success. Every one of the many milestones now has a fixed deadline attached to it.
By 2030, ten percent of economic output is to be generated through AI-based processes; a "gigafactory" is to go into operation by 2028; and two error-corrected quantum computers are to be available by 2030.
In some instances, the basis for evaluation remains unclear. Descriptions of the participating partners are often vague, and—notably—funding amounts are missing. Bär describes the roadmaps as "living documents." The monitoring system designed to track their progress is still under development.
The funding program, backed by eighteen billion euros, was highly praised at its launch. Recently, however, doubts have grown as to whether it might simply vanish into thin air, much like its predecessors. If anything, the roadmaps raise the question of whether the scope of the project is overly ambitious. Essentially, they represent self-imposed commitments to specific goals against which the agenda’s success can be measured. Much of it remains a promise. Initial funding streams have already been approved—such as the AI robotics booster, endowed with one hundred million euros—with further measures expected to follow in the summer.
The roadmaps were the result of hundreds of discussions with scientists, entrepreneurs, and representatives of industry associations. The federal states, too and the EU are to be firmly integrated. The varying quality of the roadmaps is linked to ministerial responsibilities. Only in the fields of quantum technology and biotechnology can the Ministry of Research determine the agenda single-handedly; in other areas, it relies on input from other ministries. Reaching an understanding with Economics Minister Katherina Reiche has proven to be a laborious process.
A look at the individual documents reveals distinct differences. The roadmap for fusion research is comparatively brief; the goals here lie in the distant future.
The promised fusion power plant is slated for 2045; until then, nuclear fusion will contribute nothing to energy generation.
Hopes are pinned on usable spin-off effects.
The goals for biotechnology are described concisely. The Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies is scheduled for completion by 2028. The center is intended to become a focal point for cell and immunotherapies, accelerating the transfer of innovations to industry and medical practice through dedicated start-ups. One objective is individualized tumor therapy using introduced mRNA.
Easier access to health data is expected to elevate personalized medicine to a new level. In the field of artificial intelligence—which will play a role across the board—there are 25 milestones alone. The priority here is expanding computing capacity. Existing strong research into embodied AI is set to receive a further boost from the "AI-Robotics Booster" initiative. Germany missed the boat on the first two generations of AI models, but a competitive foundational AI model is expected to be ready by 2027.
The agenda is complemented by a recently adopted transfer initiative. It envisions the creation of numerous "hubs"—though the Minister found it difficult to explain exactly what these would entail.
Is the agenda ultimately just a reallocation of existing funds from the Ministry of Research? Will it fail due to its complexity? And who will drive it forward once Bär is no longer in office? The fact that the Minister is surely aware that eighteen billion euros will by no means suffice to achieve all the goals. Ultimately, overall success hinges on whether she succeeds in bridging the divides between the ministries. For now, however, things are moving forward.” [1]
1. On the road: Die nächste Etappe der Hightech-Agenda. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 27 May 2026: N4. THOMAS THIEL
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