Over 300 representatives from business, science, society and politics came together to discuss the benefits for companies and society. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops and exchange ideas and make contacts at the 25 exhibitor stands. In conversation with Michael Kretschmer, it was repeatedly highlighted that politicians must lay the foundations for the conditions needed to make Saxony attractive as a science location and for investors. Kretschmer also asserted that it is now up to scientists and entrepreneurs to engage in international exchange in order to keep pace with the progress of this industry.

Fellow Stefanie Speidel not only represented SECAI, but also Dresden as a science location as a whole and underlined the excellent work of current research. She emphasised: “We have such a vibrant and unique ecosystem in Dresden with the outstanding Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital as well as an excellent Dresden University of Technology to bridge the gap between engineering, computer science and medicine, supported by major research projects such as CeTI, SECAI, EKFZ and ScaDS.AI” . During the event, she also spoke about the scientific perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of AI and in particular digital health, generative AI, foundation models, the trustworthiness of these systems and alternative hardware platforms for data processing.

In summary, the event summarised that the foundations have been laid for Saxony to become a competitive AI location. Science and politics must work closely together and network internationally.