With key compliance deadlines just weeks away, small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany are scrambling to meet the dual demands of implementing artificial intelligence and complying with the European Union’s new regulatory framework. From 2 August 2026, stricter rules under EU AI law will come into force for high-risk AI systems. Companies that violate the requirements could be fined up to 35 million euros, or 7% of their annual global turnover, said Thomas Maxeyner, who will be speaking at an upcoming governance webinar.
This webinar, scheduled for June 24, 2026, will provide a detailed explanation of AI law compliance obligations, particularly for high-risk applications. This is one of several support measures aimed at the Mittelstand, Germany’s small and medium-sized business hub, as the deadline approaches.
On July 8, 2026, the Münster Chamber of Skilled Crafts (HWK Münster) and IHK Nord-Westphalia will jointly organize the “KI-Sprechtag” (AI Consultation Day) from 9 am to noon. The event will offer one-on-one advice sessions to help businesses identify practical applications for AI in their daily operations. Behind the scenes, the craft sector is also investing heavily in research. Since October 2024, HWK Osnabrück Emsland Grafschaft Bentheim has been collaborating with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) on AI applications for SMEs. By February 2026, seven companies had already participated in the workshop. RoboCraft, one of René Nauber’s flagship projects, is testing the use of collaborative robots (cobots) and exoskeletons.
Andreas Nünemann, Managing Director of HWK Osnabrück, says that AI is a huge opportunity for companies. Further south, the Pfalz Chamber of Commerce is injecting 2.2 million euros into an educational technology center in Kaiserslautern. Part of this amount will fund ‘InnoLernKI’, a joint project with DFKI to develop an interactive AI training wall for solar power systems and heat pumps. This initiative aims to address the shortage of skilled workers. There is still a shortage of Master Trainer positions in the electrical industry.
Cybersecurity is also a growing concern. On June 23, 2026, the Economic Development Agency of Ostwestfalen Lippe will host an online session on AI and cyber risks. Tobias Diemer from Transferstelle Cybersicherheit im Mittelstand (Cybersecurity Transfer Office for Small and Medium Enterprises) outlines the dangers of AI-powered phishing and deepfakes, and the protective measures small and medium-sized businesses can take.
A broader strategic shift is also underway. On June 17, 2026, the General Assembly of the Saarland Chamber of Skilled Crafts elected Hans-Ulrich Thalhofer as the new Managing Director and tasked him with running the Chamber through digital transformation. Meanwhile, representatives from Siemens, Merck KGaA and Deutsche Bank will discuss the economic viability of AI and the need for talent development at the ISG AI Impact Summit in Frankfurt on June 22-23, 2026. And on June 23, Lower Saxony’s Office for Climate Protection and Energy will host an information event on using AI to improve local governments’ climate protection.
