Hannover Region launches major AI project for companies

28.03.2024 - Digital learning platform to help small and medium-sized enterprises use artificial intelligence.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) as an opportunity for greater efficiency is recognized by many companies - but there is still a lack of concrete implementation, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to a BITKOM study from 2023, only 15 percent of companies in Germany were using AI. Meanwhile, the demand for information on AI has increased enormously - also due to the technical upheavals in times of ChatGPT & Co.

In order to close this gap and open up the regional economy to the benefits of AI, the Hannover Region has launched a new project: "KI.WI", the AI network of the Hannover economic region . It provides companies and specialists with low-threshold access to acquire AI knowledge and support for implementing AI projects in their own companies.

The project is supported by IPH - Institut für Integrierte Produktion Hannover gGmbH.

"Our goal is to build a powerful, integrated regional AI ecosystem that supports companies in the Hannover Region in developing and implementing AI-based solutions. By the end of 2024, we want employees from at least 100 companies to have taken part in our digital introduction program, 75 companies to have accepted our offers and at least 20 companies to have identified concrete business cases."

Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs

"We are delighted to be able to support the Hannover Region in building up the AI ecosystem. We see great potential for the integration of artificial intelligence, especially in SMEs, in order to optimize processes and support employees. This is where the KI.WI digital platform comes in. KI.WI offers the opportunity to build and expand knowledge. In the learning modules, specialists can gain an understanding of what artificial intelligence can do and how they can use it for their business. This enables employees in the region to optimally build up AI skills and use them in a targeted manner within the company."

Project manager Dr. Maren Müller (IPH gGmbH)

Companies, specialists and people interested in AI can take advantage of the following services:

AI deployment guide

A guide supports companies in identifying AI potential and developing business cases. With the help of guidelines, companies can structure their AI ideas and take the first steps towards implementation.

Workshops and events

Companies have the opportunity to find out about current events in the field of AI in the Hannover economic region. These workshops and events offer the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded people and to follow the latest developments in the AI sector

Networking with AI service providers

Companies receive an overview of regional private and public AI service providers who can provide support on specific AI topics. This enables companies to find the experts who meet their individual requirements and successfully implement their AI projects.

AI knowledge check

With twelve questions in ten minutes, specialists interested in AI can determine their current level of knowledge on AI and receive individual recommendations and tips. The AI knowledge check will be available from mid-April.

AI skills training program

Seven learning modules, each lasting one hour, will enable companies and their teams to receive further training on various AI topics, including information security, data management, change management and the technological functionality of AI. Professionals also receive a certificate of participation for the learning modules they have successfully completed. Available from mid-April.

KI-CANVAS model and AI project profile

With the help of these pdf tools, companies - independently or with a partner - can concretize and structure AI ideas and implement them in their own company as part of project management.

All offers are bundled on the platform www.kiwihannover.de , which went live in March. The regional assembly has provided support of 250,000 euros to finance the project.