Digitisation enables new forms of cooperation between actors in the health sector, said Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel in her summit speech. In addition to doctors, these include pharmacists, caregivers and clinics. E-health also simplifies direct data exchange.

Using big data wisely

Merkel called on German companies to draw on the availability of large amounts of data and use it for the development of new products. In health care as in other areas, there are "great new possibilities of value creation". Here, in particular, the middle class needs to continue to learn quickly. "Otherwise, the platform providers will nibble at the value chain – bringing disadvantages to our economy."

When developing so-called big data applications, data protection must always be kept in mind, Merkel warned. When the new EU General Data Protection Regulation comes into force in the spring of 2018, an "information offensive" will be necessary "to explain which new legal framework will apply in the future".

Germany not in the lead

Merkel admitted that there is still a considerable amount of catching up to be done when it comes to the digitisation of public administration: "Germany is not in the lead here." One need only go to Estonia, Finland or Denmark to observe that other countries are much more advanced in the field of digital administration.

The head of government called for increased efforts to make education ready for the demands of the digital society. This task also has implications for equality: "Just as women are good at writing and doing math, they are also good at programming."