AITAD on ZDF – Our Position on Defence
18 July 2025
The ZDF magazine program “frontal” focused on companies involved in the defense sector. AITAD was among those featured. The report can be viewed on YouTube
On July 15, the ZDF program frontal – Das Magazin aired a segment that focused on a key question:
Should a technology company work for the defense industry—and if so, under what conditions?
AITAD was also featured in this context. The full report can be viewed on YouTube.
It’s about more than technology
For us, it was clear from the outset that this discussion is not about sensor technology, algorithms, or AI.
It’s about responsibility. About attitude. And about the question of what contribution technology can – and should – make today.
ZDF visited us to ask precisely these questions. The editorial team was interested not only in what we can achieve technically, but also what we want to use it for. And under what conditions we are prepared to implement certain projects – or not.
Our decision: Yes, but with clear boundaries
At AITAD, we approached this question openly – internally, as a team, with different perspectives and critical voices. The result was not an easy one, but it was an honest consensus:
- Yes, we work with the defense industry. But exclusively in the field of defense – i.e., for protection, reconnaissance, and security. Not for offensive combat technology.
- And only under a binding, value-based code of conduct. We review each order individually – both technologically and ethically.
Our sensor solutions are used where people, critical infrastructure, or the environment need to be protected from harm – e.g., through autonomous detection of dangerous situations or intelligent condition monitoring of safety-relevant systems.
We do not work on offensive technologies, not on autonomous weapon systems, and not on solutions that aim to harm people or exacerbate conflicts.
Why we are talking about this
We believe that technology companies have a special responsibility in today’s world – not only through what they develop, but also through what they do not develop. And we are convinced that
transparency is the first step toward responsibility.
That’s why discussing these issues behind closed doors was never an option for us. We wanted – and still want – to communicate openly about our stance on defense projects, why we draw certain lines, and what we mean by “tech for good” in a security policy context.
We see ZDF’s decision to take up this discussion as an opportunity – for more public attention, for an honest debate, and for a nuanced view of a sensitive topic.
Our values
AITAD stands for embedded AI – with the goal of making people, machines, and processes safer. We take this promise of safety seriously, both socially and as a company.
Learn more:
If you would like to learn more about our position, our technology, or our ethical framework, please feel free to contact us. We are committed to dialogue – even (and especially) when it comes to complex issues.
📧 info@aitad.de