Google opens major AI data center in Berlin

ISTANBUL

Google announced Thursday that it opened a major artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Berlin to strengthen its digital infrastructure in Germany and support the country’s growing AI ecosystem.

The new facility, located in the historic Mitte district at the Museumsinsel Forum, brings together teams from Google DeepMind, Google Research and Google Cloud under one roof, according to a statement.

The center also features an “AI demo space” designed to showcase the latest artificial intelligence technologies and applications.

German Digital Affairs Minister Karsten Wildberger said at the opening ceremony that Google’s investment reflects Germany’s strong appeal as a high-tech destination and noted that startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and industrial players are expected to benefit from projects developed at the center.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the opening of the hub signals strong confidence in Berlin’s capabilities and its long-term economic and technological prospects.

Meanwhile, Google’s Central Europe President Philipp Justus said the hub was designed as a platform for collaboration and dialogue that would help strengthen Germany’s position in the global AI race.

The opening also coincided with the announcement of several academic partnerships. In cooperation with the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich, the company plans to develop responsible AI applications in medicine and single-cell research.

The widespread adoption of generative AI could generate €440 billion ($510 billion) in additional annual gross value added for Germany by 2034, according to an analysis commissioned by Google from the German Economic Institute.