Bavaria aims to create a future where AI isn’t just a technological advancement, but a fundamental driver for economic prosperity, social well-being, and democratic resilience. Moderated by Ann-Kristin Achleitner (TUM), this DLD Future Hub session brings together four Bavarian ministers – Judith Gerlach, Hubert Aiwanger, Markus Blume and Fabian Mehring – to discuss how Germany’s southernmost state is building a world-class AI ecosystem that connects science, industry, and society.
Hubert Aiwanger, State Minister for Economic Affairs, notes that Bavaria has surpassed Berlin as Germany’s top region for startup activity, with significant investments funneled into AI-driven companies. He also highlights the adoption of AI across traditional sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
Markus Blume, State Minister for Science and the Arts, highlights the importance of education and talent development in Bavaria’s strategy. “We have 134 AI professorships in Bavaria”, he says, pointing out that they are “distributed across the entire state” to creating excellence clusters in different regions.
Health Minister Judith Gerlach focuses on the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. She shares examples of AI-driven projects targeting women’s health issues, such as breast cancer detection without contrast agents and faster diagnosis of endometriosis using AI-based ultrasound.
Fabian Mehring, State Minister for Digital Affairs, reflects on the broader societal implications of AI. He argues that AI is essential not just for economic prosperity but also for democracy and public trust in government.
Watch the video to learn more about Bavaria and its investment in AI. Please note that the discussion is in German.
