Karliczek: “Data is the key to our future”

28.01.2021 18:48

On January 27th, 2021, the Federal Cabinet approved the federal government's new data strategy. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) provides decisive impetus for an innovative and sovereign data policy in research and science. The data strategy aims to make better use of the potential of data for Germany as a country of innovation and to strengthen data competence.

“In the digital age, data is an elementary key for the future of Germany as a country of innovation. Linking data from different sources enables novel insights and innovations in science and research. It is the basis for new technologies, value chains and business models. For a successful digital future, we must make the best possible use of this potential,” explains Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek.

According to Karliczek, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the joint research and development of a vaccine was successful in this short period of time through increased data sharing.

But in order to derive the greatest possible benefit from data, it must be quality assured. A trustworthy and secure provision of high-quality data from education and research is therefore an essential part of technological sovereignty and the basis for a self-determined design of the digital future.

According to the Federal Research Minister, the BMBF is a “central player in the data strategy” with over 70 measures. In the next few years, for example, initiatives in the research areas of high performance computing and quantum technologies will be funded.