We live in a paradoxical age. Knowledge has never been more abundant. Access to technology has never been easier. And yet many societies – Germany foremost among them – appear curiously paralyzed. The very progress that once propelled us forward now seems to inspire anxiety rather than ambition. Meanwhile, the next stage of civilization has already begun: the era of co-intelligence between humans and machines.

Over time, a mindset has taken root that has grown comfortable with the status quo. Reform? Sure, but without any real change, please. Innovation? Of course – but only once everything has been standardized, certified and inspected. Less bureaucracy? Naturally – though gradually and in carefully measured doses. This blend of proceduralism, regulatory zeal and scepticism about the future has left the country of thinkers and tinkerers trailing technologically. Meanwhile, the United States and China build the foundations of artificial intelligence and reshape global realities.

It’s about mindset

Germany needs a renewed sense of patriotic progressivism that goes beyond technological enthusiasm or start-up romanticism. What matters is the mindset with which we approach this new era. It is an attitude that does not wait until every uncertainty has been eliminated, but dares to venture into the unknown, recognizing that the future cannot be fully guaranteed. Progress has never  rested on guaranteed certainties; it has always been the result of bold decisions. Carl Benz and Rudolf Diesel did not attempt to breed faster horses. They reimagined mobility itself.

German history is rich with such leaps into new territory. The refrigerator, television, Geiger counter, and, of course, automotive and transport technologies all emerged from German scientific and engineering ingenuity. So did the cathode ray tube and X-ray technology. Konrad Zuse built the first commercial computer. Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner laid the groundwork for nuclear fission. Max Planck, Werner Heisenberg, and Max Born ventured into the uncharted territory of quantum physics. Robert Koch showed the world the potential of microbiology.

Germany was once a place where the future was imagined – and built. And it can be that way again. Our history and expertise equip us to pursue the next breakthroughs: superconductors, quantum computing, nuclear fusion. There are plenty of entrepreneurs. But all too often they are driven abroad by bureaucracy and financing  difficulties.

Why do we hesitate to establish special economic zones where experimentation is encouraged and from which the wider country can learn what works – and what does not? Why do we fail to mobilize dormant capital and make it easier for companies to access capital markets? Why do we not place greater emphasis on trust, punishing misconduct decisively rather than burdening businesses with layers of pre-emptive reporting requirements? Why do pension funds not invest more aggressively in the breakout and scale-up phases of domestic start-ups, unlocking technological momentum – and strong returns – at home?

Openness over perfection

The time has come for a mental reset. A “yes” to openness and a “no” to paralyzing perfectionism. The defining challenges of our time – from climate change to demographic shifts to digital sovereignty – can only be addressed if we are prepared to take calculated risks. We need spaces for experimentation where exploration is not halted at the first sign of regulatory anxiety. We need institutions that do not merely administer, but actively shape. And we need leaders in politics and business who are willing not just to complete their risk-free three-year mandates, but to articulate a compelling vision and rally others to it. Above all, we need to give citizens a renewed incentive to engage with their country.

A sense of patriotic progressivism is not a  naive promise of progress. It requires a democratic framework that ensures technology serves people – not the other way around. But for that very reason Germany can no longer afford to act as the world’s moral hand-wringer in debates over innovation. It must once again become an enabler – the choreographer of an intelligent co-evolution between humans and machines.

The greatest danger is not artificial intelligence. It is human passivity – reinforced by demographic ageing and democratic fatigue. Democracy, too, requires renewal. The example of the Nordic and Baltic countries shows how a digital state can strengthen citizens’ trust in democratic institutions. There, the state is not seen as “the other”. It delivers tangible value to those who belong to it.

Where there is trust, there is courage. A patriotism of progress means not giving up on one’s country but believing once again in its capacity to set bold ambitions. People must be given the opportunity to be part of the solution. That is the strongest foundation for democratic confidence – and for economic success. 

Prof. Dr. Miriam Meckel is Professor of Communication Management at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, co-founder of ada Learning, and a board member. She writes a column for Handelsblatt and hosts a weekly podcast alongside its editor-in-chief Sebastian Matthes.