OpenAI, SAP SE, and Microsoft have joined forces to launch OpenAI for Germany, a landmark initiative aimed at bringing sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and applications to Germany’s public sector. The program, scheduled to roll out in 2026, is being positioned as a cornerstone of the country’s digital transformation and AI sovereignty strategy.
A Sovereign Cloud for AI in Public Services
The new partnership will be powered by SAP’s subsidiary Delos Cloud, hosted on Microsoft Azure, to ensure compliance with Germany’s stringent requirements for data sovereignty, security, and legal oversight.
According to the companies, millions of public sector employees—including those in government agencies, administrative bodies, and research institutions—will be able to use AI safely and responsibly. The technology will be integrated into workflows to automate routine processes such as records management and data analysis, allowing workers to focus more on citizens than paperwork.
Leaders Stress Value of “Applied AI”
Christian Klein, CEO of SAP SE, emphasized that the partnership combines SAP’s long-standing role in serving the public sector with OpenAI’s technological edge.
He noted that applied AI—not just theoretical models—creates real value. “OpenAI for Germany marks a decisive step forward. With SAP Sovereign Cloud expertise and OpenAI’s advanced capabilities, we’re creating solutions built in Germany, for Germany,” Klein said on September 30.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, pointed to Germany’s history of technological leadership. He said that millions of Germans already use ChatGPT in education, research, and business. “With OpenAI for Germany, we’re extending that momentum to the public sector—helping improve services while staying true to Germany’s traditions of trust and safety,” Altman remarked.
Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the cloud backbone of the project. He stated that Azure would power Delos Cloud to guarantee data privacy, compliance, and resilience, giving Germany’s public institutions the confidence to adopt AI at scale.
Expansion of AI Infrastructure
SAP confirmed that it will expand Delos Cloud infrastructure in Germany to 4,000 GPUs dedicated to AI workloads. The company added that, depending on demand, investments could rise further through both SAP-owned infrastructure and partnerships with co-location providers.
This infrastructure, the firms said, will not only support the German government but could also be extended to other European markets in the future.
Tied to National AI Ambitions
The launch directly supports Germany’s High-Tech Agenda, championed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which envisions AI-driven value creation of up to 10% of GDP by 2030. The “Made for Germany” initiative, backed by 61 leading companies and investors—including SAP—has already pledged more than €631 billion to accelerate growth and modernization.
SAP itself recently committed over €20 billion toward strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, a move aligned with this new collaboration.
Part of OpenAI’s Global “For Countries” Program
The announcement, also shared by OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane on LinkedIn, forms part of OpenAI’s broader “OpenAI for Countries” initiative, which has already launched in Greece, the UK, Norway, and Estonia.
Lehane underscored the scale of AI adoption in Germany. He said that nearly every young adult in the country now uses ChatGPT weekly, with usage growing fivefold in the past year. “That’s why—together with SAP and Microsoft—we’re thrilled to roll out OpenAI for Germany,” Lehane wrote.
Outlook
By combining OpenAI’s generative AI technology, SAP’s enterprise and sovereign cloud expertise, and Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure, the partnership aims to place Germany at the forefront of responsible AI adoption in Europe. The collaboration is expected to shape a model for sovereign AI deployment across sectors—ensuring that innovation serves both efficiency and public trust.
