<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential for enhancing prosperity. However, the adoption of AI in German businesses remains limited, with only 19 % of companies utilizing AI in 2022. The successful implementation of AI relies on two key prerequisites: a company’s digitalisation and data economy readiness. The Digitalisation Index reveals slow progress in digitalisation across sectors, indicating a need for increased efforts. Additionally, companies must enhance their data economy readiness to efficiently utilize data for AI applications. Failing to tap into the potential of AI may result in significant competitive disadvantages in the future.
</abstract>

Artificial Intelligence in the German Economy: Nothing Works Without Digitisation and Data

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In contrast to other sectors, such as air traffic, the transition towards CO2-neutral mobility in the car sector is within reach, but there is still a long way to go. Now the question arises: What role does e-mobility play in Germany today and in the future? The authors analyse the importance of the model policy in the various market segments, the price development, and the framework conditions as levers for the ramp-up of e-mobility. The article further examines why synthetic fuels will not be able to play any significant role in the decarbonisation of the passenger car sector in the near future. Although the electric car has become mainstream, the conditions for a flourishing market must be created.
</abstract>

Mobility Turnaround in Germany – E-mobility as the Means of Choice

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The reform of the Buildings Energy Act is intended to increase the share of renewable energies in the heat sector. But the proposed measures (among which the promotion of electric heat pumps figures prominently) are ecologically ineffective. They will not decrease the total amount of CO2 emissions in Germany, which are already subject to the caps of national and European emissions trading systems. Installing heat pumps in the building stock will require high investments and thus make any emission reductions in the heat sector much more expensive than in other sectors. Furthermore, due to its command-and-control approach, the bill is incompatible with the central principles of the German Social Market Economy.
</abstract>

The New Buildings Energy Act

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The introduction of a digital euro has been in discussion in the eurozone for some time. The European Central Bank’s investigation phase started in October 2021 and entered a preparatory phase in October 2023. Digital central bank money is already being used in other countries. The introduction of a digital euro raises many questions that affect households and companies, commercial banks and the central bank. Among other things, the following questions arise: Why do we need a digital central bank currency today? What requirements must an additional form of money issued by a central bank fulfil? What are the risks and opportunities associated with the digital euro?
</abstract>

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Digital Central Bank Currency?

Kindergeld oder Kinderfreibetrag?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely regarded as a technology which will impact the future competitiveness of the German economy. Looking at the research productivity of German scientists and universities in AI, we find that Germany definitively belongs to the top performers in AI research globally, although the United States and China are somewhat ahead. This is not surprising taking into account the sheer size of their talent pools. Furthermore, the majority of promising AI startups are based in the United States, while Germany is clearly underrepresented in the group of excellent AI startups given Germany’s excellence in AI research. Hence, it is obviously more challenging for Germany to translate research excellence into successful entrepreneurship.
</abstract>

Artificial Intelligence – Where Do We Stand in Germany?

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Current assessments of the German economy and its innovation potential are reminiscent of the early 2000s when Germany was considered the sick man of Europe. Germany is facing enormous challenges of overlapping crises in connection with demographic change and the green transformation that will require a wide range of innovations to overcome. The responsibility must first and foremost be borne by the companies themselves. However, public (infrastructure) investment is often followed by private investment. Streamlining the bureaucracy for targeted immigration is a high priority in order to counteract the shortage of skilled labour.
</abstract>

Germany’s Capacity for Innovation

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The medium-term prospects for the German economy give little cause for optimism. In addition, demographic change will intensify in the current decade. A brightening of growth prospects can therefore only materialise with stronger investment and greater innovation momentum. However, it will hardly be enough to directly promote this through economic policy interventions if the available pool of adaptable and skilled labour cannot be strengthened. This will require a wide range of economic policy endeavours.
</abstract>

No Pain, no Gain – the German Economy Has to Keep Earning its Innovative Capacity Over and Over Again

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
After the Federal Constitutional Court declared the previous property tax system unconstitutional in 2018, eleven federal states chose the so-called federal model as the new procedure. It continues to be based on the valuation of properties using the modified Valuation Act. This assumes static value ratios, which may have become significantly outdated and no longer contribute to equal taxation. In addition, the character of the property tax as a special wealth tax is extremely antiquated and is no longer constitutional.
</abstract>

Property Tax Reform – Still no Conformity with the Constitution for the Federal Model

Ukrainehilfen: Eingefrorene Vermögen nutzen

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, we offers insights into the far-reaching consequences of wars. Based on a new dataset on major conflicts since 1870, the findings show that wars cause a substantial decline in GDP and spike in inflation within war zones. Interestingly, countries geographically close to war zones experience significant economic disruptions, even when neutral to the conflict, whereas countries far from the conflict may see minimal to slightly positive spillovers. The study demonstrates how wars represent a massive negative supply shock, with geographical proximity and trade integration explaining the varying effects on different countries.
</abstract>

The Price of War

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The year 2022 was characterised by extraordinary social and economic pressures. Russia’s war against Ukraine led to major energy policy and economic upheaval, high inflation and the challenge of taking in refugees from Ukraine. At the same time, the statutory minimum wage was increased twice in 2022 from 9.82 € to 10.45 € in July and to 12 € per hour in October. With regard to this significant increase in a difficult economic environment, many questions arise: How many and which firms were affected by the minimum wage increases in 2022? How severely were these establishments affected by the war in Ukraine? What are the challenges they are currently facing?
</abstract>

Turbulent Times for Companies: Consequences of the War in Ukraine and 12 € Minimum Wage

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Wirtschaftsdienst is the leading academic journal for current debates on German economic policy, linking economic theory and economic policy...