Germany is getting its own OpenAI.
SAP SE and OpenAI have announced “OpenAI for Germany,” a sovereign AI platform designed to bring generative AI safely into government agencies, universities, and research labs. The system will run on SAP’s Delos Cloud with Microsoft Azure infrastructure to meet Europe’s toughest data-sovereignty and security requirements.
Planned for a 2026 launch, the partnership aims to let millions of public-sector workers use ChatGPT-style tools while keeping sensitive data inside Germany’s legal and regulatory perimeter.
Key Takeaways
- SAP and OpenAI team up to deploy sovereign AI for Germany’s public sector.
- Microsoft Azure powers SAP’s Delos Cloud to meet EU privacy and compliance rules.
- Rollout planned for 2026 with 4,000 GPUs dedicated to AI workloads.
- Initiative aligns with Germany’s High-Tech Agenda targeting 10% GDP from AI by 2030.
- SAP pledges further investment to expand sovereign AI offerings across Europe.
SAP and OpenAI announced “OpenAI for Germany,” a sovereign AI service running on SAP’s Delos Cloud and Microsoft Azure. Launching in 2026, it will let German government and research staff use AI tools like ChatGPT while ensuring data privacy, regulatory compliance, and full legal sovereignty.
Germany’s First Sovereign OpenAI Service
In a high-profile move to advance Europe’s AI ambitions, SAP SE and OpenAI unveiled “OpenAI for Germany,” a sovereign AI platform built specifically for German public-sector institutions. The service will operate on SAP’s Delos Cloud—powered by Microsoft Azure—to satisfy Europe’s demanding standards for data privacy, security, and operational resilience.
Christian Klein, CEO of SAP, called applied AI “what truly creates value,” stressing that the platform is “built in Germany, for Germany.” Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted Germany’s engineering pedigree and the millions of Germans already using ChatGPT, saying the new system will extend that potential to public services while adhering to local values of trust and safety. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella added that Azure will ensure compliance and resilience for government workloads.
Why It Matters
The German federal government’s High-Tech Agenda aims for AI-driven value creation worth up to 10% of GDP by 2030. OpenAI for Germany is positioned as a cornerstone of this strategy, providing the infrastructure to deploy generative AI across government offices, research institutions, and universities without exposing sensitive data to foreign jurisdictions.
Infrastructure and Scale
To meet the expected demand, SAP plans to expand Delos Cloud to 4,000 GPUs dedicated to AI workloads and is exploring further investments in applied AI capabilities. Additional capacity could come from new co-location providers and partner collaborations as usage scales across Europe.
Public-Sector Use Cases
The partnership targets use cases such as records management, administrative data analysis, and AI-assisted decision support, freeing employees to focus on citizen services rather than paperwork. Custom public-sector applications and embedded AI agents will be built directly into existing SAP enterprise workflows.
The Bigger Picture
Germany’s AI momentum is accelerating. The “Made for Germany” initiative—backed by €631 billion in pledged investments from 61 companies including SAP—seeks to modernize the country’s digital infrastructure. SAP itself has pledged over €20 billion to strengthen Germany’s digital sovereignty, signaling confidence in a domestic AI ecosystem.
Global Implications
While designed for Germany, the model could become a blueprint for other European nations seeking AI benefits without compromising sovereignty. If successful, SAP and OpenAI may extend similar offerings to neighbouring EU markets where regulatory scrutiny remains high.
What Happens Next
The service is slated to go live in 2026, pending infrastructure build-out and regulatory approvals. Pilot programs within select government agencies are expected before full deployment. SAP, OpenAI, and Microsoft will jointly manage operations to maintain compliance with EU and German data-protection laws.
Conclusion
SAP and OpenAI’s sovereign AI platform is more than a technical partnership—it’s a strategic play to keep Europe competitive in the global AI race while respecting its rigorous privacy standards.