On 2 November 2026 the German federal government presented the report of its AI task force. The goal is in the title: Germany is to become an AI nation by 2030. The direction is clear and the instruments have been announced, but the money is still missing.
What is “Germany as an AI nation 2030”?
“Germany as an AI nation 2030” is the federal government’s target picture for artificial intelligence up to 2030. It was drawn up by an AI task force led by the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation. It was presented at the Digital Summit 2026, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz also spoke.
The report lists 18 measures and calls the next twelve to eighteen months decisive. It expressly does not establish any funding. Money, funding guidelines and applications will be decided later.
Which targets apply until 2030?
of small and medium-sized enterprises use AI
of large companies use AI
of employees are regularly offered AI training
private investment in AI applications and training compared with 2025
of economic output is AI-based
of federal authorities use AI in operations
Worth noting: training expressly counts as investment in AI, on a par with software and integration. And training is to be provided through the employer.
Which measures are planned?
Six of the 18 measures directly concern small and medium-sized enterprises or municipalities.
Federal government, states and municipalities buy AI solutions in a targeted way, also as pilots.
An action plan in which AI agents prepare cases.
The programme “AI strengthens SMEs” and AI vouchers.
Vouchers and co-financing for contracts from SMEs to AI start-ups.
Qualification and new tasks, together with the social partners.
A basic offer for employees and the competition “AI for everyone”.
The other twelve measures mainly concern research, infrastructure and security:
- AI Safety Institute AISI
- Frontier AI
- Industrial AI
- Health
- Data centres
- Semiconductors
- International alliances
- Data
- Defence
- Civil security
- AI talent
- Monitoring
What does “AI strengthens SMEs” mean?
“AI strengthens SMEs” is a planned programme that bundles AI funding for small and medium-sized enterprises. Companies are to see which support fits their stage, in four steps:
Where does AI help in your own business?
Employees learn to work with AI.
Test first applications with your own data.
Finance and extend productive solutions.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Digital Ministry are in charge. The report gives no start date.
We already offer all four steps today, individually or one after another. See below for what that looks like.
What are AI vouchers and who gets them?
With AI vouchers, municipalities and possibly also small and medium-sized enterprises are to commission AI providers from Germany, for example to develop an application. They are planned for municipalities and are being examined for companies. Amount, conditions and application process have not yet been set.
What applies to training for employees?
By 2030, at least 65 per cent of employees are to be regularly offered AI training by their employer. Independently of this, Article 4 of the EU AI Act applies: companies that use AI should promote the AI literacy of their staff. More in the article AI literacy under Article 4.
Which funding is available today?
Until the new programmes start, the existing routes remain. For almost all of them: the application comes before the contract.
80 % of the costs of coaching when digitalisation changes how work is done in the company. Fewer than 250 employees.
A loan for digitalisation projects, at the highest level for AI with your own company data.
Free offers with AI trainers. “AI strengthens SMEs” is to build on them.
A grant towards business consulting, application before the contract.
The DIGI-Zuschuss Hessen ended in June 2026. All programmes with their conditions are in the article AI funding 2027.
Wait or start now?
Waiting for the vouchers does not pay off. Three reasons speak for starting early:
The EU AI Act requires measures for your team’s AI literacy. Authorities have been monitoring compliance since August 2026.
The BAFA consulting grant ends on 31.12.2026. If you start now, you can still use it.
When the vouchers arrive, you will have a described task and first experience. Then only the application is missing.
What you do today depends on where you stand.
Start with orientation, the first step in the planned programme, for example with a potential analysis. The free AI check gives a quick impression.
First a short training session and an AI policy. Both help right away and are part of Article 4 of the EU AI Act.
Describe the scope now and check which existing programme fits before you commission it.
Describe a use case, such as research in council resolutions. That is the best preparation for the AI vouchers.
How does lindenbrook support the four steps?
We already cover the four steps of “AI strengthens SMEs” today. You can start at any step.
The free AI check shows in about two minutes where AI fits in your work. In the AI potential analysis we assess your tasks during one day on site and decide where you start.
The AI training under the EU AI Act takes half a day, with a certificate of attendance for each participant. In the workshop AI in everyday work your team works on its own tasks.
In the workshop From idea to first application, one of your tasks becomes a draft in two days that you can operate yourself.
We develop AI applications and AI agents for your workflows and support them in everyday use.
Before every commission we check with you whether an existing programme such as INQA coaching fits. As soon as the AI vouchers start, we will add them here.
Five steps for this month
- Choose a task that comes up often and takes a lot of time.
- Write down which AI tools the team already uses, including private accounts.
- Set a first rule: which data may go into which tool.
- Two or three employees try AI on this task for four weeks.
- Record the result on one page: task, starting point, experience, next step.
This page later becomes the basis for funding advice, an application or commissioning a provider. We will update this article as soon as funding guidelines are published.
Frequently asked questions
Is there already funding from the AI nation 2030 plan?
No. The report of 2 November 2026 sets out targets and measures. The federal government will decide on financing, funding guidelines and application routes later.
Who gets the AI vouchers?
According to the report, they are planned for municipalities. For small and medium-sized enterprises, the federal government is examining whether they will also receive vouchers to commission AI providers from Germany.
When does “AI strengthens SMEs” start?
The report gives no date. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Digital Ministry are in charge. The programme is to build on the network of Mittelstand-Digital centres, which starts anew in 2027.
How many companies should use AI by 2030?
At least 55 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises and at least 80 per cent of large companies.
Do I have to train my employees in AI?
Article 4 of the EU AI Act provides that companies take measures to promote the AI literacy of their staff. The federal government also wants 65 per cent of employees to be regularly offered AI training by 2030.
Can I start before the AI vouchers?
Yes. lindenbrook already offers the four steps of the planned programme today, from orientation to expansion. Before commissioning, you can check whether an existing programme such as INQA coaching fits.
Do the targets also apply to states and municipalities?
No, according to the report they are not binding on states and municipalities. The federal government does, however, count on their participation.
Sources
- Federal Government: Digital Summit 2026 (2.11.2026, in German)
- Final report of the AI task force “Germany as an AI nation 2030” (PDF, 2.11.2026, in German)
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (AI Act), Article 4
Updated: . This article is not legal advice.
