Web Summit: Habeck warns against misuse of technology

At the Web Summit, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) encouraged young start-up founders to actively shape the future. "It's about people," said Habeck during his keynote speech on stage at the Altice Arena in Lisbon on Tuesday. "As founders, you believe in the future. You can make a huge difference."

At the same time, Habeck warned against the possible misuse of technology. "Infrastructure, energy and technologies are not neutral," warned the Minister of Economic Affairs, also with regard to social media. They could be misused politically. "Liberal democracy and freedom should not be taken for granted."

Democracy in danger

The Green sees three dangers for democracy. "Our freedom is under attack from outside," said Habeck, referring to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. "But the attacks are also coming from within and are targeting the space for democratic debate." The third major challenge for freedom is climate change.

While Germany is preparing for new elections, Habeck traveled to Portugal on Monday with an all-female start-up delegation. In addition to his appearance at the Web Summit on Tuesday, a meeting with his Portuguese counterpart Pedro Reis and talks with German companies are also on the agenda.

"We will send a strong signal for female founders and the German and European start-up ecosystem at the Web Summit," said Habeck before departing for Lisbon on Monday. The low proportion of women in start-ups is a political problem. "It starts with childcare and does not end with the political or social understanding that a woman can also run a company."

Support for young companies

In its coalition agreement, the German government set itself the goal of promoting young companies with innovative products and adopted a start-up strategy with around one hundred individual measures in the summer of 2022. Habeck also advocated increasing the proportion of women among founders.

With around 70,000 participants, the "Web Summit" is one of the world's most important tech conferences and the most important international start-up meeting place in Europe. This year, around 150 young companies from Germany are represented in Lisbon, 100 of which are exhibiting at the German Pavilion.

Habeck had already planned his appearance at the Web Summit last year, but canceled it at short notice. Prior to this, the then Portuguese head of government António Costa had resigned. The debate surrounding Web Summit boss Paddy Cosgrave, who had resigned due to comments critical of Israel, also played a role. Cosgrave has since resumed the leadership of the conference he founded.

(vbr)