#KIBB - Discovering AI in Brandenburg - Minister Schüle finds out about artificial intelligence projects at the new DB plant / AI state strategy to be developed by 2024

Minister Dr. Manja Schüle: "Green electricity instead of black diesel. More rail, less road. State-of-the-art jobs and future-proof apprenticeships. Everything comes together at the new DB plant in Cottbus. Here, for example, experts are developing AI applications for maintenance and servicing - as a result, in the future, employees will no longer have to climb onto the train roof for sighting or inspect wheel axles on the track. This reduces the risk of accidents in the workplace. Our AI state strategy naturally also takes into account the development of AI technologies in Lusatia. Together with partners such as Deutsche Bahn in Cottbus, we are thus creating the best conditions for artificial intelligence in and from Brandenburg. The regional partners in Lusatia benefit from the training and research around the BTU and the 'Lusatian Center for Artificial Intelligence,' said Minister Schüle. "Artificial intelligence is the mega topic of the coming years. Science and research in particular are key to harnessing and advancing AI. We are taking the Brandenburg route in developing our AI strategy, which means we are focusing on key areas in the state. These are mobility, logistics and energy with partners such as Deutsche Bahn in Cottbus. Climate, environment and agriculture with our climate experts from PIK, GFZ and IGZ in Potsdam. These are health, medicine and care with the planned development of the Innovation Center University Medicine Cottbus and the model region Health Lausitz. No AI research from the ivory tower, but close to the social challenges, close to the people. AI 'Made in Brandenburg' in other words."

Dr. Daniela Gerd tom Markotten, Director of Digitalization and Technology at Deutsche Bahn AG: "Our trains should be rolling and not standing still. More traffic on the rails can only be realized with efficient maintenance - which is why we are building Deutsche Bahn's most modern maintenance plant in Cottbus. The key to faster and more efficient maintenance is digitization and the use of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence. This also reduces the workload of our employees and cuts the time it takes to inspect the roof of an ICE train, for example, from several hours to just a few minutes."

Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, President of BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: "AI is a central topic in teaching and research at Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg: our new AI degree programs got off to a terrific start in the fall, and we are working on using AI for teaching in the STEM subjects, including in an AI learning factory. In our profile line 'Artificial Intelligence and Sensor Technology', we are researching the future application of AI, microelectronics and microsensor technology together with our scientific partners, for example in the iCampus and in the LZKI. The construction of Europe's most modern maintenance facility by DB is a great opportunity for the BTU. I am extremely pleased about the intensive exchange between DB and our university and the joint development work in recent months. Central topics here are the recruitment of skilled workers, where we can make an important offer for DB with our large number of dual study programs, but also joint research and technology projects, which would have a very high appeal for both sides."

In the coming weeks, Science and Research Minister Dr. Manja Schüle and State Secretary Tobias Dünow will inform themselves about institutions in the state of Brandenburg that deal with AI and develop their own AI projects. The information visits under the title '#KIBB - Discovering AI in Brandenburg' are part of the development of a state strategy 'Artificial Intelligence'. An initial key points paper is to be available in the first half of 2023, with the finished state strategy by early 2024.

Within the framework of the state strategy 'Artificial Intelligence' , overarching approaches are to be developed, for example for data and computing infrastructures, for education and training as well as for AI research, transfer and spin-offs. In particular, the focus areas 'Economy and Work 4.0', 'Climate-Environment-Agriculture-Bioeconomy', 'Energy, Mobility, Logistics & Tourism', 'Health & Care' and 'Administration' are to play a central role. The AI strategy is being developed within the framework of an interministerial working group with the participation of numerous AI experts and stakeholders. At the beginning of December 2022, the Brandenburg AI Days were held for the first time with representatives from municipalities and from science and research. Those interested in AI and AI researchers were able to network there and strategically discuss, among other things, opportunities and challenges, fields of application and transfer of artificial intelligence. The Digital AI Atlas was also presented at the conference. This lists ongoing AI projects and activities from research, teaching and transfer in the state at https://ai-science-atlas.innohub13.de/.

Press contact Stefan Breiding Press spokesman Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg stephan.breiding@mwfk.brandenburg.de T +49 331 866 4566