Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only an innovation factor, but also a sovereignty factor. The EU must therefore make AI the strategic core of its industrial policy in order to secure its digital sovereignty and competitiveness. An innovation-oriented, well-regulated and capable European AI ecosystem is necessary for the transformation of the European economy. The BDI position on AI as a driver of transformation addresses current political developments at the EU level and assesses them in terms of their potential impact on the AI ecosystem.