Innovation is technology

The process of mapping intelligent behavior onto computers has established itself as a key technology that will be used in almost all areas of life. It offers many opportunities and potential, especially for the economy. AI systems can, for example, help automate processes, plan effectively, or support decision-making. Currently, significant efforts are being made to utilize AI systems in the areas of energy efficiency and sustainability.

North Rhine-Westphalia is very well positioned in the field of artificial intelligence: excellent AI research institutions meet startups and traditional industrial companies here, together forming a diverse and closely networked AI ecosystem. The state-funded competence platform AI.NRW raises the profile of these stakeholders, supports technology transfer, and helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular to successfully enter the world of AI through numerous services and event formats. With its AI.Worlds and AI.Showroom, it also contributes to raising awareness about AI.

Strengthening and implementing cybersecurity solutions across all sectors of the economy, society, and the public sector is one of the most important challenges for a secure digital future. Existing digital infrastructures must be effectively protected against hacker attacks, and security must be considered from the outset in all future digitization processes. Only in this way can the digital transformation of our economy and society succeed sustainably.

North Rhine-Westphalia is at the forefront of cybersecurity: Strong networks of research, business, internal security, and social initiatives are driving innovation and the further development of digital security in the state. Not only is North Rhine-Westphalia home to excellent cutting-edge research, but also to leading companies and startups. Furthermore, the topic is being addressed broadly in North Rhine-Westphalia: Various initiatives, including the two associations Cybersecurity Cluster Bonn e.V. and eurobits e.V., as well as the non-profit competence center for cybersecurity – DIGITAL.SICHER.NRW – are raising awareness of cybersecurity within the business community and society at large. True to the motto: Cybersecurity concerns us all!

The efficient use of the interaction of light with people and materials is an important key factor with a long tradition and the basis for the success of various successful economic sectors and technology fields in North Rhine-Westphalia, such as the areas of life science, ICT, production technology, but also the energysector.

North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is rightly considered a region of light. Numerous small and large companies – including many "hidden champions" – form a unique innovation ecosystem in the lighting sector. Nowhere else, for example, is the density of the lighting industry higher than in the Sauerland region. Furthermore, numerous companies and universities are represented in the research and development of photonic components and systems for subtractive and, above all, additive material processing and manufacturing processes (e.g., 3D printing) , and their expertise places them among the world's leading institutions.

Within the network of the NMWP.NRW cluster , where the "P" stands for photonics, numerous economic and scientific stakeholders in photonics and its applications exchange information to further advance the technology and open up additional fields of application.

Nanotechnology is an established and vibrant field where research and application are now closely intertwined. While not integrated into the heart of modern electronic devices as nanoelectronics, "nano" (Greek for "dwarf") can be found in many materials and applications, such as functional surfaces. These range from dirt and scratch resistance and antibacterial properties to highly catalytically active layers. Furthermore, nanostructuring plays a crucial role in the long-term stability of modern batteries. The ongoing challenge lies in skillfully translating the remarkable properties of nanomaterials into industrial applications.

As Germany's leading materials-producing region, North Rhine-Westphalia can draw on a superb combination of university, institute, and industrial research, as well as innovative companies, in this field. Within the NMWP.NRW , the "nano" technology is also an integral part of the high-tech sector, for example, in innovations in nanomedicine, energy conversion (e.g., and_H₂ CO₂₎and storage, or in increasing efficiency and resource conservation through innovative materials with nanostructured additives.

Microelectronics permeates all areas of modern life. Driven by Moore's Law, the transition from microsystems to nanosystems technology has been seamless. Virtually all everyday electronic devices are equipped with chips – without these technologies, you wouldn't be able to view this text, for example. The ongoing digitalization of many areas of life and work is inconceivable without high-performance microchips. With an estimated global revenue of almost €450 billion (2020, Statista) in the semiconductor industry alone, as well as the pursuit of technological sovereignty in microchips (EU Chips Act), the importance of this technological field is evident.

In addition to five ForLabs and the members of the Research Factory Microelectronics, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) also boasts strong economic and scientific players in the NMWP.NRW, whose activities are supported by the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) program, enabling them to play a leading technological role. Furthermore, NRW has the 6GEM research hub