Tuesday: German Parliament's Network Down, AI Chatbot Grok Deployed in Schools

Germany has faced a busy week of political and technological developments. The EU is set to soften its stance on combustion engine bans, while domestic cybersecurity concerns and diplomatic tensions with Russia have also come to the fore. Meanwhile, El Salvador has announced plans to introduce a controversial AI tool in its schools.

The EU now looks likely to reverse its planned total ban on new combustion engine cars after 2034. Germany had pushed for this change, arguing against the strict zero-gram CO₂ fleet limit originally set for 2035. Critics have dismissed the move as symbolic, but automakers may now continue selling some petrol and diesel models beyond the original deadline.

On Monday, the German Bundestag’s IT network suffered a prolonged outage. The disruption lasted several hours, though officials did not immediately confirm the cause. The incident coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit, though no direct connection was established. Cybersecurity also took centre stage as the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) released a white paper criticising major webmail providers. The report highlighted weak defences against phishing, poor identity theft protections, and flawed end-to-end encryption. The BSI had previously tested email security on December 15, 2025, though detailed findings remain undisclosed. In a separate diplomatic move, Germany summoned the Russian ambassador after intelligence agencies linked a major IT attack and disinformation campaign to Moscow. The operation reportedly targeted the 2025 Bundestag election, escalating tensions between the two nations. Looking ahead to 2026, German drivers will see significant changes. Digital driver’s licences will arrive earlier than planned, and the Deutschlandticket’s price will be adjusted. Federal and state governments have secured funding for the scheme until 2030. Beyond Europe, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele announced a deal with Elon Musk to deploy the AI chatbot Grok in public schools. The decision comes despite ongoing controversies surrounding the tool’s reliability and ethical concerns in other countries.

The EU’s revised combustion engine policy will allow some new petrol and diesel cars to be registered after 2034. Germany’s cybersecurity warnings and diplomatic friction with Russia add to a growing list of challenges. Meanwhile, El Salvador’s adoption of Grok in education marks a bold but contentious step in AI integration. Each development carries direct consequences for transport, digital security, and international relations.