Digital Transformation Gaia-X Lives – and Delivers

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dataTec AG

Why the European project for digital sovereignty is not a failure and how it is already showing results is explained by Ulrich Ahle, CEO of the Gaia-X Association AISBL, in this commentary.

In recent weeks, there has been a growing number of critical voices claiming that Gaia-X has "failed" or is "dead". These assessments are often based on a misunderstanding of the role and objectives of Gaia-X - and they overlook the considerable progress that has already been made in Germany and across Europe.

Gaia-X is not a hyperscaler and was never intended to be one. It is not a "European Amazon". Rather, Gaia-X is a framework - a combination of technical specifications, governance rules and compliance tools - that enables companies and institutions to share data in a sovereign, interoperable and trustworthy way.

The debate on digital sovereignty is more topical than ever. Germany and Europe need digital infrastructures that are based on European values - transparency, openness, data protection and interoperability. This is precisely the mission of Gaia-X.And this mission is already being realized: In Germany, more than 14 industry-specific working groups are active in the Gaia-X Hub Germany - from the healthcare industry to mobility. Across Europe, over 180 use cases are using the Gaia-X framework, including initiatives such as Catena-X, Pontus-X and Mobility Data Space. These data spaces enable carbon footprints in the supply chain, sustainable production processes and innovative, data-driven business models - especially for German SMEs.

A Framework For a Digital Europe

One frequently mentioned point of criticism is the involvement of large US cloud providers. But here, too, the facts count: Gaia-X does not exclude anyone - but all those who participate must abide by the rules of the game. This means compliance with European data protection laws, transparency in data processing and guarantees for portability and reversibility. In this way, Gaia-X creates fair competitive conditions - even for small European providers.

What Gaia-X delivers is not a finished product, but a framework in which a digital Europe can be built: federated, secure and innovative. This is undoubtedly more complex than creating a central, proprietary platform. However, anyone striving for long-term digital independence must accept this complexity.

Current developments such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and the Cloud & AI Development Act clearly show that Europe is developing its own standards - and Gaia-X is a central component of this development.The conclusion is clear: Gaia-X is alive and well. It continues to develop - with its community, with industry projects and with European and international partners. German politicians would be well advised not to chase after new buzzwords, but to invest in what already exists and works. Gaia-X is not a prestige project - it is the foundation for Europe's digital future.

*Ulrich Ahle is CEO of the Gaia-X Association AISBL.