Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS

Saxony elaborates AI strategy

Study by Fraunhofer IIS/EAS serves as basis for development process

The Free State of Saxony is working hard to expand its position as a leading location in the domain of artificial intelligence (AI). An AI strategy is an important milestone on the road to achieving this goal, and in the summer of 2020 the State Chancellery launched an elaboration process for just such a strategy. Together with participants from business, science, research, trade associations and the general public, the Free State plans to present its AI strategy as a roadmap by the end of the first half of 2021.

The starting point and foundation of this process is the “Artificial Intelligence – Expertise and Innovation Potential in Saxony” study published by Fraunhofer IIS’s Engineering of Adaptive Systems division EAS. In a comprehensive evaluation, it sheds light on how companies and research are positioned with regard to AI and the hurdles they face. In addition, it outlines a series of possible actions they could take.

Dr. Peter Schneider, Division Director of Engineering of Adaptive Systems EAS, emphasized during the kick-off event:

 

“If we’re to continue to be able to leverage significant competitive advantages with our ai offers in the future, we must make the exchange and transfer of knowledge between research, teaching, business and politics even more efficient – and above all structure it on the basis of reciprocity.”

Dr. Peter Schneider

 

Study names fields of action


The study also pointed out additional fields of action. One of the greatest challenges for industry and science in the development and deployment of AI is the shortage of skilled workers. Other issues cited by the respondents as important include the reliability of AI decisions, employee qualifications and the ability to access large amounts of data. Meanwhile, the comparatively decentralized structure of the economy and its start-up culture also have an influence on the speed of AI developments.

The study is based on the results of a project of the same name conducted in 2019, on which the Engineering of Adaptive Systems division EAS collaborated with TU Dresden. In this project, the partners carried out expert interviews and organized workshops and roadshows with companies that offer AI and with people working on applications and research. The project was funded by Saxony’s State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport as part of its technology promotion program.

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