Germany aims to regain its position at the international forefront of artificial intelligence (AI), microelectronics, and other key technologies. With the "Germany Hightech Agenda" (HTAD), the federal cabinet presented an ambitious innovation policy roadmap a year ago: six future technologies, five strategic research fields, and nine key levers are expected to sustainably boost the innovation momentum. Initial roadmaps now illustrate the planned direction. However, from the business perspective, there is still a need for adjustments to ensure the strategic ambitions are successfully implemented in practice.

Overview of the status quo

The promotion of six key technologies (AI, biotechnology, quantum technology, fusion and climate-neutral energy generation, microelectronics, and technologies for climate-neutral mobility) is supported by nine defined levers. These are strategic instruments intended to accelerate the transformation of research into marketable innovations. By combining targeted technology promotion and strengthening innovation structures, the levers create the foundation for sustainable value creation, economic growth, and technological sovereignty. Early this year, partner dialogues with various stakeholders resulted in initial roadmaps. Based on these, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), together with around 140 innovation and technology advisers from the local chambers of industry and commerce (IHKs), developed the discussion paper Germany's Hightech Agenda - Roadmaps and Levers in a Practical Review (PDF, 168 KB) (only available in German) in June this year. It provides recommendations for further developing the HTAD.

Roadmaps Under Practical Review

So far, six roadmaps for the respective key technologies have been published, with more in the pipeline. It remains unclear how many roadmaps will eventually be developed. The roadmaps provide sound impulses to strengthen the networking of business and science. Initiatives aimed at improving SME access to research infrastructures accompany the ambitious measures. Overall, the proposed approaches offer the opportunity to set new growth impulses in Germany through these technologies.

However, many proposals are still too vague and insufficiently tailored to SMEs. For example, success criteria should be precisely defined: construction and approval procedures need to be accelerated, electricity prices for SMEs lowered, and tools for the strategic protection of intellectual property provided. The roadmaps should also complement the EU's innovation policy and align with European initiatives. Roadmaps that have been announced but not yet published should be expedited so the Hightech Agenda can unleash its potential across the full breadth of technological innovation fields. The specific demands for individual roadmaps are outlined in the discussion paper.

Levers Under Practical Review

The nine planned levers are expected to significantly advance the development of key technologies and growth areas. From the perspective of the German economy, HTAD must not only strengthen defined core technologies but also reinforce the innovation location in its structures. In its discussion paper, the DIHK advocates, among other things, for quicker implementation of the Innovation Freedom Act and the Federal Testing Act. Furthermore, innovation funding programmes should be strengthened and institutionalised, and the research infrastructure should be further expanded.

Overall, HTAD should primarily target faster knowledge and technology transfer, combining modern and agile funding instruments with better financing conditions. Current innovation barriers should also be significantly reduced. In the DIHK Innovation Report (PDF, 1 MB) (only available in German), 68 per cent of companies reported that unnecessary bureaucracy hinders their innovation activities.

Next Step: Targeted Implementation

Quick, binding, and adequately funded implementation will be crucial to the success of the Hightech Agenda. For this to succeed, HTAD should be more aligned with the needs of businesses. The IHK network is committed to supporting this process constructively and assisting in further developing and specifying the planned measures.