By Dr Jörg Häseler

This magazine is full of Artificial intelligence (AI). It was almost certainly created without AI. It's still possible! Meanwhile, AI offers solutions that hardly anyone has ever thought of. In this issue, all sections are taken up and the theory and practical applications of AI are presented. It is fascinating and sometimes frightening to see what is already possible. After reading this issue, the discussion of artificial intelligence can only encourage readers to devote themselves to this topic in order to keep up to date.

More pressing for the industry, however, are certainly the challenges in politics whether national or international. Will the new German government succeed with the 500 billion euro package for the coming years? And will the customs policy of the USA and the responses to it only lead to an escalation? The BDSI reacted immediately at the beginning of April: ‘The comprehensive increase in import tariffs on almost all product groups decided by the US government will also hit the German confectionery industry hard. US exporters are suffering directly from the US government's measure, whose new tariffs of 20% for imports from the EU are to come into force in the short term.

This decision by the US President does not appear to be comprehensible and not only this one as it is based on many false assumptions and figures. Only he himself knows what he is trying to achieve, and some even doubt it. Will counter tariffs help? The unanimous opinion is that services must be taxed more heavily, as this would hit the US economy. Wouldn't it sometimes be better here if AI ruled instead of Donald Trump? If only we knew... But there is more and more resistance in the USA. So there is only one thing left to do: show confidence and act prudently.