August Transformations: Train Progress, Solar Energy Advancements, Artificial Intelligence Evolutions
In the ever-evolving landscape of Germany, several notable changes are taking place this August. Here's a roundup of some key developments:
Railway Line Closures
The train route between Hamburg and Berlin will be closed for a comprehensive general renovation from August 1, 2021, until the end of April 2026. Passenger and freight traffic will be rerouted during this period, and replacement bus services will be available for passengers where trains cannot run.
AI Act
From August 1, 2021, new security rules apply in the EU for electronic devices connected to the internet. The AI Act, a comprehensive EU law, aims to make Artificial Intelligence more transparent and secure. The feed-in tariff for solar power, the amount received for solar power fed into the grid, is reduced by one percent every six months.
Enforcement of the AI Act by authorities is staggered, with new models subject to the rules from 2026 and existing ones from 2027. Providers must disclose how their AI systems work and the data used for training.
Summer Holidays
All students in Germany will be on summer holidays from August 1 to 10, 2021, before the new school year begins on August 11 in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Bavaria is the last federal state to start summer holidays on August 1, 2021.
Cybersecurity for Electronic Devices
In light of the new security rules, devices must meet basic requirements for protection against cyber attacks, data misuse, and fraud.
Digital Passport Photos
Since May, only digital passport photos are accepted for new personal ID or passport applications. Analog passport photos will still be accepted in exceptional cases until the end of July 2021. Digital passport photos must be taken directly in the office or sent securely from a photo studio.
Solar Power Feed-in Tariffs
The next reduction in the feed-in tariff will take effect on August 1, 2021. The German government regularly updates feed-in tariffs for solar under the EEG (Renewable Energy Sources Act), but no exact change in August 2022 is noted at this time.
For precise August 2022 updates in the areas mentioned, official German government or transport agency sources from that year are recommended for accurate details.
The advancements in Germany's landscape this August extend beyond transportation and education, as the AI Act, a comprehensive EU law aimed at enhancing transparency and security of Artificial Intelligence, commences on August 1, 2021. Meanwhile, solar power providers are required to adhere to new cybersecurity standards for electronic devices, following the implementation of the new security rules from the same date.
