Digital Economy News | November 2024

AI DataHub Europe Launched at Digital Summit 2024

German companies have joined forces to launch a data platform for use in training AI models in Europe. Schwarz Digits (IT and digital division of the Schwart Group) and Deutsche Bahn AG announced the launch of the DataHub Europe platform at the German government’s Digital Summit 2024 event. The platform has been created to make high quality data available to partners to train AI models within a stable and secure infrastructure in Europe. This will allow company-specific AI solutions to be quickly and securely rolled out as real tools in a number of business application scenarios. Speaking at the launch, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport Dr. Volker Wissing remarked that “DataHub Europe closes a crucial gap in the EU by proving high-quality data for AI Training. German companies and stakeholders have once again proven that we can combine innovation and execution. This is creating an exciting ecosystem and a much-needed data platform that will take the training of AI models for our industry to the next level.” Data partners include actors drawn from industry, technology, science, and the media including the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and DvH Medien (Wirtschaftswoche and Handelsblatt publisher). Data sovereignty for “AI made in Europe” will be oversaw by partners including Aleph Alpha, STACKIT, the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), and the Technical University of Darstadt/hessian.AI. Aleph Alpha is already working with Deutsche Bahn on a legally compliant AuditGPT model to partially automate auditing work. 

Germany a Quantum Technology Pioneer 

Germany has established itself as a global pioneer in the research and application of quantum technologies according to a recent study conducted by digital association Bitkom. Sixty percent of 87 companies surveyed consider Germany to be a quantum technology pioneer, with three quarters of respondents convinced that Germany can become a leader in the development of quantum technologies. More than 9 out of 10 of those polled believe that a long-term strategy to promote quantum technology is required to see off challenges to establishing the nascent technology. 

AI Most Important Future Technology for Germany

Artificial intelligence is the most important future technology in Germany according to almost three quarters of companies. Seventy-three percent of companies surveyed by digital association Bitkom concur with the statement that AI is the most important technology of the future. Within the population at large, some 63 percent consider AI to be the most important technology of the future, with around one third dismissing it as hype. The two surveys of 602 companies and 1,007 people aged 16 or over shows overwhelming support for AI, stressing further the need to support AI system development in Germany as part of plans to establish Europe as a globally leading AI location. 

Industrial Tech Way Ahead for German Economy – hy Innovation Report 2024

The recent hy Innovation Report 2024 highlights the growing importance of industrial tech for Germany as a business location. According to the report, the German industrial tech ecosystem is currently enjoying strong start-up and investment momentum thanks to advancing digitalization, automation and sustainability efforts in industrial manufacturing processes. The report also finds that public and private investment in research and application is recommended to stem potential labor migration abroad. 

Record Number of AI Start-ups in Germany 

The number of AI start-ups in Germany is growing and following a differentiated market strategy from their international competitors. According to the Applied AI Institute for Europe analysis, the number of AI start-ups reached record levels in 2023 – up 35 percent annually to 687 companies. The study authors see three factors as being behind the significant growth: Germany’s AI ecosystem and start-ups have benefited from the global AI hype, public funding for AI start-ups, and venture capital flow into AI companies. AI start-ups in Germany are swimming against the trend to develop chatbots and focusing instead on bespoke B2B solutions – 95 percent of AI start-ups have set out on this path, with the number of AI start-ups active in operations and production doubling in the past year alone.