Fraunhofer is driving forward German-French AI dialogue

On April 17, 2026, a landmark step for the European AI landscape was taken as part of the “Franco-German Forum on Industrial AI”: The final report of the “French-German AI Industry Executives’ Dialogue” was officially handed over to the relevant ministries of both countries. Thomas Courbe, Director General for Corporate Affairs on the French side, and Dr. Beate Baron, Director General for Industrial Policy at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, accepted the report. The German Fraunhofer Gesellschaft coordinated the initiative together with the French research institutes Inria and Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), thereby reinforcing its central role as a driving force in the development and industrial application of AI technologies in Europe.

A shared vision for a sovereign European AI ecosystem

The initiative’s mission: Europe needs an AI ecosystem that is sovereign, competitive, and trustworthy. Given the global competition in the field of artificial intelligence, it is imperative that Europe pool its strengths, build strategic infrastructure, and provide targeted support for industrial applications in key sectors. The report presents concrete recommendations for action intended to guide public policy, research programs, and industry initiatives at the European level.

Boris Otto, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST and Chair of the Fraunhofer ICT Group, presented the report alongside Bruno Sportisse, President and CEO of Inria, and Cécile Dubarry, President of IMT. The three institutions emphasized the complementary nature of their expertise: Fraunhofer contributes its unique expertise in applied research and the transfer of technologies to industry—and thus stands for the industrial implementation of AI solutions in diverse industrial contexts across Europe.

Seven strategic areas of action

As part of the initiative, more than a hundred stakeholders from industry and academia were brought together in sector-specific workshops. During these workshops, specific use cases and investment priorities were identified in seven key areas:

  • Digital and computing infrastructures
  • Sovereignty and regulatory framework
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing industry
  • Media
  • Energy
  • Agrifood

The proposals put forward are grounded in a detailed understanding of industrial needs and reflect a resolutely operational approach.

© Inria / Photo B. Fourrier
French-German forum on Industrial AI - Paris, 12. April 2026

From analysis to detailed projects

The dialogue process was launched in Berlin in January 2025—initiated by the French Embassy in Germany and jointly supported by Inria, IMT, and Fraunhofer. In November 2025, the initial findings were presented at the “Adopt AI Summit.” The final report now being released builds on these findings and presents a structured framework that translates industrial needs directly into roadmaps and future initiatives.

A key objective is to incorporate the results into the “IPCEI AI” (Important Project of Common European Interest) program and thereby contribute to the definition of strategic industrial projects at the European level. The next steps include further expanding bilateral cooperation, developing pilot projects in the identified sectors, and strengthening governance structures that ensure both innovation and trust.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will continue to play a key role in this regard: as a bridge between basic research and industrial application, as a reliable partner for policymakers and industry in Europe—and as a driving force for a self-reliant AI future for the continent.