Deutsche Telekom chief executive Tim Höttges used the opening of the Hannover Messe manufacturing trade show to emphasize the strategic importance of Artificial Intelligence to Germany and Europe. He said Deutsche Telekom is investing in secure networks, sovereign data centers, and Artificial Intelligence computing power, framing infrastructure as essential to turning Artificial Intelligence ambition into industrial progress. He also argued that Germany has the ingredients to lead, citing its industrial base, engineering strength, and ability to connect production with advanced technologies.
Höttges paired that message with a warning that Europe’s regulatory approach could hold back those ambitions. In remarks cited outside Deutsche Telekom’s press release, he said, “I will advocate for simplifying European AI regulation and, if possible, freeing industrial AI from the current, overly restrictive framework of EU AI regulations.” He added, “We cannot continue in the way that was planned in Brussels many years ago, when the sheer scale of AI ‘s application was not even foreseeable.” The comments reflect concern that rules designed earlier may no longer match the speed and scope of current Artificial Intelligence development.
He linked that regulatory criticism directly to economic outcomes. “If we do it right, AI will help maintain and create industrial value creation and high-quality jobs in our country. But this will only succeed if, given the rapid pace of technological development in countries like the USA and China, we do everything we can to truly leverage our strong starting position in industrial AI.” The broader point was that Europe risks undermining its own competitive position if regulation moves too slowly while technological change accelerates.
The report also noted similar concerns from Siemens and portrayed growing unease among industrial leaders about whether the European Union’s rulemaking culture is suited to a market where major technological shifts can happen monthly. The tension centers on sovereignty and safety on one side, and commercial agility and industrial competitiveness on the other. Pressure for regulatory change appears likely to intensify as companies push for a framework they see as better aligned with fast-moving Artificial Intelligence deployment.
