Published on: March 13, 2025 / Updated on: March 13, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Increased competitiveness through AI (Artificial Intelligence) – Bitkom conference TRANSFORM in Berlin with seven Fraunhofer Institutes – Image: Xpert.Digital
Securing the future through AI: Strategies for digital transformation and innovation
Smarter competition: How AI secures a competitive edge in global markets
In today's rapidly evolving global economy, competitiveness is more central than ever to the success of companies of all sizes and industries. Digitalization has emerged as a crucial factor, and artificial intelligence (AI) plays a key role in this transformation. Companies that embrace the challenges and opportunities of the digital age and strategically integrate AI into their business models are better positioned to thrive in a globalized market and secure a sustainable competitive advantage.
The need for a strong digital presence has become increasingly apparent in recent years. Technological progress, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, has reached a momentum that is fundamentally changing traditional business models and ways of working. Companies face the challenge not only of keeping pace with these changes but also of actively shaping and leveraging them. This requires a comprehensive engagement with digital technologies, the development of new strategies, and a willingness to explore innovative approaches.
A key aspect of this digital transformation is artificial intelligence. AI is no longer just a buzzword from science fiction films, but a real and powerful technology capable of automating processes, supporting decision-making, gaining new insights from data, and enabling entirely new products and services. From automating repetitive tasks in production to personalized customer experiences in retail and intelligent diagnostic systems in healthcare – the applications of AI are diverse and constantly expanding.
For companies, this means that integrating AI into their value chains is no longer an option, but a necessity to remain competitive. It's about understanding AI technologies, recognizing their potential, and using them strategically to increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve the quality of products and services, and open up new business areas.
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The European AI Act and shaping digital transformation
Regulation also plays a crucial role in this context. The European AI Act, a legislative proposal from the European Union, aims to create a framework for the development, deployment, and use of artificial intelligence in Europe. The goal is to harness the opportunities of AI while minimizing its risks, particularly with regard to ethical considerations, data protection, and security.
For companies, the AI Act means they must familiarize themselves with the new regulations early on and ensure that their AI systems and applications comply with legal requirements. While this may initially seem like a challenge, it also offers an opportunity to position themselves as responsible and forward-thinking companies that value ethical and transparent AI practices.
However, the efficient implementation of the AI Act is not just a matter of compliance, but also a competitive advantage. Companies that are able to implement the AI Act's regulations intelligently and pragmatically can gain a competitive edge over those who struggle or fail to recognize the opportunities presented by the new framework. The key is to understand the AI Act not as an obstacle, but as an incentive for innovation and responsible AI development.
Innovative business models through AI and the role of research
The opportunities that artificial intelligence offers for innovative business models are enormous. AI enables companies to develop new products and services, optimize existing processes, and tap into entirely new markets. Examples include personalized medicine, autonomous vehicles, intelligent production systems, AI-powered financial services, and much more.
To fully exploit this potential, however, close collaboration between companies and research institutions is essential. Research institutions like the Fraunhofer Society play a central role in the development and research of new AI technologies and applications. They act as a bridge between basic research and industrial application, helping companies gain access to the latest scientific findings and technological innovations.
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, as one of Europe's leading organizations for applied research, is strongly committed to the field of artificial intelligence. With its numerous institutes and research groups, it covers a broad spectrum of AI topics, from machine learning and computer vision to robotics and natural language processing, as well as the ethical and societal aspects of AI.
The Bitkom conference TRANSFORM 2025: A showcase for AI innovations
To underscore the importance of AI for the competitiveness of companies and to present the latest developments in this field, specialist conferences and trade fairs are held regularly. A key example is the Bitkom conference TRANSFORM, which has established itself as one of the leading events for digital transformation and innovation in Germany and will open its doors in March 2025.
The TRANSFORM conference brings together experts from business, science, politics, and society to exchange ideas on current trends, challenges, and opportunities of digitalization. A particular focus is placed on artificial intelligence, which is considered one of the key technologies of the future.
At the upcoming TRANSFORM 2025, which will take place on March 19 and 20, 2025, at STATION Berlin, seven Fraunhofer Institutes, under the umbrella of the Fraunhofer ICT Alliance, will present their latest solutions and technologies in the field of artificial intelligence. The Fraunhofer ICT Alliance combines the expertise of various Fraunhofer Institutes in the areas of information and communication technology and is therefore an important contact for companies seeking support in their digital transformation.
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Fraunhofer expertise in focus: Internet of Things, Industrial Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence
At TRANSFORM 2025, the Fraunhofer Institutes will present a wide range of solutions and technologies designed to help companies increase their competitiveness through AI. The focus will be particularly on the areas of the Internet of Things (IoT), the Industrial Metaverse, and artificial intelligence itself.
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the networking of physical objects with the internet, enabling these objects to collect and exchange data and interact with each other. In an industrial context, often called Industrial IoT, this allows, for example, the monitoring and control of production facilities, the optimization of logistics processes, and the development of smart products.
The Industrial Metaverse is a concept that connects the virtual and real worlds, opening up new possibilities, especially for industrial applications. For example, it enables the virtual planning and simulation of production processes, the collaborative development of products in virtual environments, and the immersive training of employees on virtual machines.
Artificial intelligence is the driving force behind many of these developments. AI algorithms make it possible to analyze the enormous amounts of data generated in the IoT and the industrial metaverse, to recognize patterns, make predictions, and automate decisions. AI is therefore a crucial enabler for unlocking the full potential of the IoT and the industrial metaverse, and Fraunhofer will demonstrate at TRANSFORM 2025 how these technologies interlock.
European sovereignty and the AI ecosystem: A common strategy
A key theme that Fraunhofer and other stakeholders will emphasize at TRANSFORM 2025 is the importance of European sovereignty in the field of artificial intelligence. In a world where AI is increasingly becoming a strategic competitive factor, it is crucial for Europe to develop its own AI technologies and ecosystems and not become dependent on non-European providers.
This requires close cooperation between businesses, research institutions, and policymakers at the European level. The goal is to create a European AI ecosystem based on European values and principles, offering companies a secure and trustworthy alternative to non-European solutions.
Professor Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, will emphasize at TRANSFORM 2025 the need to promote and invest in the development of a European AI ecosystem. He will call for innovation-friendly framework conditions and a focus on the development of sovereign AI models based on European values. He sees these models as a secure alternative for European companies and the foundation for competitive AI business models. Hanselka will highlight the important role of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in this process, with its expertise in application-oriented language models, model transfer, and its cross-border industry network.
Developing sovereign AI models means that Europe must develop its own AI technologies, independent of non-European providers and taking into account the specific needs and values of European businesses and societies. This includes not only technological development but also the ethical, legal, and societal aspects of AI, which will be discussed at TRANSFORM 2025.
Fraunhofer on the stages of TRANSFORM 2025: Keynotes and presentations
Fraunhofer's presence at TRANSFORM 2025 will not be limited to the exhibition stand. Fraunhofer experts will also be present on the various stages of the conference, showcasing their expertise and solutions in keynote speeches, presentations, and panel discussions.
Professor Holger Hanselka will open the conference on March 19, 2025, with a keynote address on the topic of “Digital Transformation – Made in Germany.” In his speech, he will explain why now is the right time to expand Germany’s digital strengths in close collaboration with research institutions, businesses, and policymakers. He will emphasize the need to actively shape the digital transformation and consistently leverage the opportunities it offers.
Another highlight will be the presentation of the multilingual AI language model Teuken-7B by the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS. The model will be presented on the Solution Stage and positioned as an open-source alternative for companies that want to implement their GenAI projects in compliance with data protection regulations. It will be emphasized that Teuken-7B can be integrated into value creation processes and is also suitable for specialized applications.
The Teuken-7B language model exemplifies Fraunhofer's application-oriented research. It demonstrates how research findings can be translated into concrete solutions for businesses and how AI technologies can contribute to increased competitiveness. The model's open-source nature also underscores Fraunhofer's commitment to making knowledge and technology broadly accessible and fostering innovation, a commitment that will be evident at TRANSFORM 2025.
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Showcases and Cube Classes at the Fraunhofer booth: Interaction and knowledge transfer
The joint exhibition stand of the Fraunhofer Institutes, under the umbrella of the Fraunhofer ICT Alliance, will be a central meeting point for visitors to TRANSFORM 2025. It will serve as a platform for exchange, information, and interaction. Those interested will have the opportunity to learn about new technologies through various showcases and to engage in discussions with Fraunhofer experts.
A showcase will present mioty®, a technology for efficient and scalable communication in the Internet of Things. mioty® is characterized by its robustness, energy efficiency, and range, making it particularly suitable for applications in smart cities, logistics, Industry 4.0, and agriculture. Visitors to the booth will be able to learn about the diverse application possibilities of mioty® and experience live demonstrations.
Another showcase will demonstrate CoLEDWallLite, an intuitive VR/AR solution that enables collaborative decision-making in the industrial metaverse. CoLEDWallLite allows multiple people to work together simultaneously in a virtual environment, visualize data, and make decisions. This technology is particularly relevant for complex industrial processes that require collaboration among experts from various disciplines.
In addition to the showcases, the Fraunhofer booth will also offer so-called Cube Classes. These will be informative tutorials and workshops on specific AI topics, such as AI for quality inspection and AI in software engineering. In these Cube Classes, participants will receive practical tips and be able to engage directly in dialogue with Fraunhofer experts.
The goal of the Cube Classes is to impart knowledge that is directly applicable in everyday work and empowers companies to successfully implement digital transformation. It's about breaking down barriers, imparting practical skills, and equipping participants with the tools to integrate AI technologies into their own business processes, which will be a key focus at TRANSFORM 2025.
Further Fraunhofer solutions at TRANSFORM 2025: Data ecosystems, New Work, cybersecurity and quantum computing
In addition to the aforementioned key areas, Fraunhofer researchers will also present concrete solutions to other important topics in digital transformation at TRANSFORM 2025. These include data ecosystems, new work in the metaverse, business process management, cybersecurity, and the introduction of quantum computing.
Data ecosystems are a key building block for the data-driven economy of the future. They enable the secure and trustworthy exchange of data between different stakeholders, thus creating the foundation for new data-based business models and innovations. Fraunhofer will present solutions that support companies in building and using data ecosystems.
New Work in the Metaverse addresses the changes in the world of work brought about by digitalization and, in particular, by immersive technologies such as VR and AR. The Metaverse offers new opportunities for collaboration, communication, and employee training, regardless of their physical location. Fraunhofer will demonstrate how companies can use the Metaverse for New Work concepts.
Business Process Management (BPM) is a key approach to optimizing business processes and increasing efficiency. Fraunhofer will present AI-powered BPM solutions that help companies analyze, automate, and continuously improve their processes.
Cybersecurity is an increasingly important topic in the digital world. With the growing interconnectedness and digitalization of companies, the risk of cyberattacks also increases. Fraunhofer will present solutions and technologies that help companies protect their IT systems and data from threats.
The transition to quantum computing is a future-oriented topic with enormous potential. Quantum computers promise to solve certain types of problems that are unsolvable for classical computers. Fraunhofer is conducting intensive research in the field of quantum computing and will present initial steps and use cases for companies at TRANSFORM 2025.
AI as a key to competitiveness and the role of Fraunhofer
TRANSFORM 2025 will clearly demonstrate that artificial intelligence is a key technology for the competitiveness of companies and will become even more important in the future. Companies that strategically use AI and integrate it into their business models can secure a decisive advantage in global competition.
The Fraunhofer Society and the Fraunhofer ICT Alliance will play a central role. With their expertise in applied research and their close collaboration with industry, they are an important partner for companies that want to leverage the opportunities of digital transformation and artificial intelligence and attend TRANSFORM 2025.
The solutions and technologies from Fraunhofer expected at TRANSFORM 2025 will demonstrate the diverse applications of AI and how companies can benefit from collaborating with research institutions. From multilingual language models and IoT solutions to VR/AR applications for the industrial metaverse, Fraunhofer will present a broad spectrum of expertise and technologies that support companies on their journey into the digital future.
The conference will also underscore the importance of European sovereignty in the field of artificial intelligence. Building a European AI ecosystem based on European values, offering companies a secure and trustworthy alternative, is crucial. Fraunhofer will make a significant contribution here and actively engage in strengthening European AI expertise.
TRANSFORM 2025 will provide a comprehensive overview of current developments and the potential of artificial intelligence, highlighting Fraunhofer's role as an innovation driver and partner for industry. The conference will demonstrate that digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in particular, presents not only technological challenges but also immense opportunities for businesses and society as a whole. It is now up to us to seize these opportunities and actively shape the future, and TRANSFORM 2025 will provide a crucial platform for doing so.
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