Author: Achim Korten, February 2026
„When it comes to AI, Germans only think about risks.“
I hear that all the time. At conferences. In conversations with customers. On LinkedIn.
The message: We are braking. Too cautious. Too bureaucratic. Too German.
My unpopular opinion: this is exactly why we are needed.
While others act quickly and break things, someone has to ask:
What breaks? Who pays?
It deals with data protection, copyright, protection of trade secrets, product liability, the EU AI Act, labour law and personal liability.
-> We invented the TÜV. Now AI needs one too.
-> We have shaped the GDPR. Now comes AI governance.
-> We ask first. That is not fear. It's responsibility.
The companies looking for AI governance today? They are not calling the „move fast“ faction.
They call those who asked the uncomfortable questions early on.
Risk awareness is not a weakness. It is a competitive advantage.
The world doesn't need more AI hype. It needs more AI responsibility.
And yes - we are Germans. So we talk about risks. That's not the problem. That is the point.
Unpleasant surprises? Not my style. And not my clients' either.