Google opens AI centre as Berlin defends US tech reliance

Google opened an AI centre Berlin on Thursday, pledging to step up innovation in the German capital, which boasts a dynamic start-up scene and strong academic and research institutions.

Google -- a major AI player alongside US firms such as Anthropic, OpenAI and Microsoft -- announced a 5.5 billion euro investment drive in Germany last November. In an expansion of its Berlin site, Google added an "AI demo space" for new innovations, a separate floor for research teams and an area where AI-focused events will be held.