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# Europe's Digital Future: How to Get from User to Shaper?


- **Date:** Thursday, Jul 9, 2026
- **Time:** 10:50–11:20 (30 min)
- **Room:** Mainstage
- **Event:** World Congress 2026 Europe

## Recording

[Watch recording](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100027-europe-s-digital-future-how-to-get-from-user-to-shaper)

## Description

Germany stands at a turning point: rarely has it been so clear how much political and economic power comes with access to the latest technology. Attempts to restrict non-US access to the best AI models show, more than ever, why digital sovereignty matters. In conversation with Handelsblatt reporter Larissa Holzki, Federal Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger discusses what a modern state must deliver, how Germany can build the infrastructure it needs, and which steps must be taken to move the country from merely using new technologies to actively shaping them.

## Speakers

### [Karsten Wildberger](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@karsten-wildberger)

 Federal Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation
### [Larissa Holzki](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@larissa-holzki)

Editorial Head of TECH


## Related talks at this congress

- [Creating Europe's AI Moment – Now or Never](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1058-creating-europe-s-ai) — Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Thomas Jarzombek, Thomas Saueressig, Jasper Bennink
- [5 Things in Tech That Matter Now - 2026 Edition](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1399-5-things-in-tech) — Christian Heilmann
- [People & Culture Welcome Address](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/974-people-culture) — Rudi Bauer
- [From AI Assistance to Agentic Systems: Scaling Sovereign AI in Banking](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/events/world-congress-2026-europe/sessions/1075-from-ai-assistance) — Julia Koch, Markus Hacker