Representatives from companies in the information and communication technology sector and users across Germany work together in the Digital Committee. The committee is also supported by experts from the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, who contribute technical, economic, and regulatory perspectives. This diversity ensures a practical discussion on digital frameworks and technological developments.

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Interview Innovation and Digitalisation

"Who sleeps, will disappear"

Torsten Wunderlich was re-elected as Chairman of the DIHK Committee for Information and Communication Technology (today Digital Comitee) in March 2023. Why he believes that businesses cannot avoid digitalization is revealed in our interview.

The Spring Meeting of the Digital Committee on April 22, 2026 focused on digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and the effects of artificial intelligence on the economy and society.

Andreas Reisen, Head of Department at the BMI, provided information on the plans of the Federal Ministry of the Interior to strengthen cybersecurity in the economy, including the planned cybersecurity program "Cyberdome," the national implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act, and the further development of the Cybersecurity Act. The committee members particularly discussed the impacts on businesses, the importance of digital sovereignty, and the requirements for practical implementation of new regulations.

Subsequently, representatives of Deutsche Telekom highlighted topics like technical sovereignty, sovereign cloud infrastructures, and digital resilience, focusing on the role of cloud technologies for SMEs, data center strategies, and paths to reduce technological dependencies.

Further emphasis was placed on the disruptive impacts of artificial intelligence on companies and business models. Tobias Rademann, R.iT GmbH, and Maximilian Störzer, SWM - Stadtwerke München GmbH, presented practical examples showing how AI is changing processes, qualification requirements, and value chains, and what consequences arise for the economy, education, and politics.

Sophia Hatzelmann, ahc GmbH, presented innovative applications of fiber-optic detection and monitoring.

Finally, DIHK experts reported on current developments in Berlin and Brussels before the committee members discussed core positions on digital sovereignty in a workshop. Issues included dealing with critical components, open-source solutions, data center capacities, and opportunities for international cooperation.

The next meeting will take place on November 10–11, 2026, in Berlin.

The Digital Committee includes the following members:

 

Stand: September 2, 2026