Trump calls for AI to be renamed superintelligence and criticizes Merz - CDU crisis deeper than expected
Quick Look
- US President Trump suggested that artificial intelligence should be called “superintelligence” in the future and again called for the abolition of the International Criminal Court.
- At the same time, he criticized the German CDU chairman Merz for his push for health insurance.
- Internal CDU criticism is growing, while analyzes show that the party crisis has deeper causes than are publicly visible.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Trump gave his annual speech to the United Nations in which he made unusual proposals such as renaming artificial intelligence "superintelligence." At the same time he criticized the International Criminal Court. In Germany, there is internal criticism of CDU leader Merz over his push for health insurance, while analyzes show that the party's crisis is deeper than is publicly visible.
The only thing that was really new was, well, let's call it an idea: If Trump has his way, we should all call AI, i.e. "artificial intelligence", "superintelligence", i.e. SI (more here). Aha. Otherwise nothing changes. So SI. Very interesting. A childish renaming was the biggest hit in this year's US President's speech to the United Nations. And because we know what Trump is capable of, we can only be happy about it.
More in passing, Trump once again called for the abolition of the International Criminal Court. I only mention this because news is expected from there today: At 11 a.m. the court in The Hague will announce its verdict on a former rebel leader who was known as “Mister Said.” In 2013, he was alleged to have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Central African Republic.
Of course, there was also criticism of Merz (more on that here ), especially since he not only offended his own people with his irritating advances in health insurance. What had gotten into him? The analysis that there is a fairness problem between those with statutory and private insurance is obviously correct. But who is supposed to believe that Merz, of all people, wants to change something?
While some urge Merz to urgently stay on the course of union and reform, there are also those who want to persuade him to retreat. "It's time for him to make the place available," says Mario Czaja, who was once general secretary of the CDU for a year and a half. Until Merz decided it was time for Czaja to make room (more on that here).
Anyone looking for the causes of the CDU's deep crisis may find it less in faction meetings or the statements of former top officials, but rather in those who no longer vote for them. Immediately after the election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, my colleague Deike Diening went to Angela Merkel's former constituency and looked around in detail. From their report it becomes clear that the disastrous result was only the consequence of a gradual development: the CDU was internally voted out long before the election.
The whole story here: “Grandma, Grandpa, all CDU” – that hasn’t been true for a long time
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The ICC will pass judgment on the former rebel leader “Mister Said”.
Very likely · Within hours
Internal criticism of Merz within the CDU will continue to increase.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Trump formally pursue his proposal to rename AI?
- How will the CDU react to the growing internal pressure?
- What verdict will the ICC make on the former rebel leader?
- Will Merz withdraw or pursue his health insurance initiative?
