German Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger Uses AI to Draft Speeches and Articles

Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU) has come under public scrutiny after analysis revealed that several of his speeches and newspaper contributions were largely generated with artificial‑intelligence tools. A software check commissioned by The Zeit showed that a Handelsblatt article from April 2026 and a Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung piece from March 2026 were almost entirely AI‑written. The minister’s Atlantic Council address in Washington (July 2024) and multiple Bundestag speeches were also reported as being fully or largely produced by AI.

The Digital Ministry confirmed that Wildberger treats AI as a “supporting work instrument” and that the content is always reviewed and edited by humans before publication. The ministry did not disclose the AI involvement to the editorial offices of the newspapers, a point highlighted by the spokesperson. Similar controversies have affected other CDU politicians, notably Thüringen Minister‑President Mario Voigt, who was previously accused of using AI for public texts.

The revelations have sparked debate in Germany about transparency, the appropriate use of AI in public communication, and the need for clear guidelines governing AI‑assisted authorship in politics.