Bertelsmann Stiftung Presents New White Paper on Public AI
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, with the support of Open Future, released a new white paper on Public AI. The paper addresses the growing concern of a concentrated power control in the development and application of AI by a small number of private companies, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Meta, and DeepSeek.
The paper, titled “Public AI: A Strategic and Actionable Framework for an Alternative Approach,” outlines a proposal for a more balanced and transparent approach to AI development and use. It advocates for increased transparency, open access to critical infrastructure, and a stronger focus on the common good.
Public AI: Shaping AI for the Common Good
The white paper emphasizes the need for societies to not only use AI, but to actively shape it. It proposes a shared responsibility for AI through democratic structures that can control its use. This approach ensures that AI is not only safe for public use, but also serves the common good.
The paper sets an ambitious goal of ensuring the existence of at least one complete open source model with AI capabilities close to those of leading proprietary systems. This will allow public actors to have more control over AI and its impact on society. To achieve this goal, the paper recommends three key actions:
1. Development and/or fortification of complete open source models and the open source ecosystem.
2. Creation of public computing infrastructure to support the development and use of open models.
3. Scaling investment in AI skills to attract skilled workers for the development and application of open models.
The paper also outlines three policy intervention paths along the AI stack – computing power, data, and models – to achieve this goal. These paths are further supported by cross-cutting measures such as talent development and financing of open software.
Systematic Evaluation of AI Initiatives
The white paper also introduces a strategic tool for evaluating and managing AI initiatives – the “Gradient of Publicness.” This framework enables political decision-makers to assess AI projects based on their level of openness, governance structures, and focus on the common good. This will help in identifying areas for improvement and promoting the public benefit of AI.
A Call for International Debate
The Bertelsmann Stiftung hopes that this white paper will spark an international debate on the role of AI as a public endeavor. It emphasizes the need for strategic investment, institutional coordination, and political will to achieve a more balanced and transparent approach to AI.
Media Contact:
Felix Sieker, Phone +49 30 275788-156, Email: felix.sieker@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.