Germany says it has twice reviewed the risk that AI could run out of control and is treating warnings from US tech leaders seriously. Deputy spokesman Steffen Meyer emphasized both AI’s opportunities in areas like medicine and its security risks, and urged coordinated action through the G7. Officials also highlighted a new National AI Safety Institute to identify threats early, while industry figures including Dario Amodei, Elon Musk and Sam Altman have called for a slowdown in AI development.
Germany Reviews AI Risks Twice, Urges Global Action After US Tech Warnings
FILE PHOTO - Visitors walk past a booth displaying the letters "AI" ("Artificial Intelligence") at the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair. (is associated with: «Germany taking AI warnings from US tech leaders 'very seriously'») Julian Stratenschulte/dpa
Germany's National Security Council has reviewed the risk that artificial intelligence could get out of control on two separate occasions, a government spokesman said, following high‑profile warnings from several US tech executives. Deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer told reporters that Berlin “takes the warnings we have heard very seriously” and is pressing for coordinated international responses.
Officials Stress Opportunity and Risk
Meyer highlighted AI's major potential benefits in the economy, productivity and medicine while also stressing associated risks. “We should not focus only on doomsday scenarios,” he said, “but instead seize the opportunities while acting decisively wherever we identify risks.”
A spokesman for the Digital Affairs Ministry described the emergence of powerful AI systems as a “paradigm shift.” He warned that if models grow more capable, break out of testing environments and independently gain access to other systems, governments will face an entirely new threat scenario.
“If AI models become increasingly powerful, break out of testing environments and independently gain access to other systems, we are dealing with an entirely new threat scenario,” the spokesman said.
To address those concerns, the government pointed to a newly established National AI Safety Institute, designed to detect and assess security‑related AI risks at an early stage. Officials said they want solutions developed within the G7 framework and through other international channels.
Over the weekend, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei renewed calls for a slowdown in AI development. He was backed by other industry figures, including Elon Musk and Sam Altman of OpenAI, who have urged greater caution as models become more powerful.
Context
Germany’s response underscores a broader global debate: how to balance AI’s economic and societal benefits with the need for safety, security and international coordination as capabilities accelerate.
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