Artificial intelligence potential for SMEs in Rhineland-Palatinate
Ministry of Economy, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture Rhineland-Palatinate
2022
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key 21st-century technology that will change current value chains in many sectors. AI is already a major driver of innovation and growth, both for large technology-oriented companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In order to support SMEs in the application of AI specifically, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Economy, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture commissioned Prognos to prepare a study examining the challenges and opportunities.
Firstly, in order to create a common understanding, a working definition of AI was developed based on the diversity of scientific literature. From this definition a broad operationalisation of AI was derived for a comprehensive screening of the AI landscape in Rhineland-Palatinate. Using this search grid, a rich data basis of company websites, corporate databases, and patent and publication databases was examined and the breadth of AI competencies in the state was shown. Correspondingly, case studies were used to illuminate the application of AI in individual Rhineland-Palatinate companies. In the second step, the challenges and opportunities for the use of AI for SMEs in the state were identified. For this purpose, a value-added-specific seven-part workshop series was conducted with Rhineland-Palatinate AI players.
Rhineland-Palatinate is home to more than 280 companies that develop and use AI methods or are preparing to do so. These include major international companies such as BASF, John Deere, and Boehringer Ingelheim, as well as SMEs such as Braun Maschinenbau or Zahnen Technik. The research landscape also boasts a variety of actors with AI competence. With its centres in Kaiserslautern, Mainz, Koblenz and Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate is home to world-renowned AI science institutions such as the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, the Johannes Gutenberg University, the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, or the Fraunhofer Institutes ITWM and IESE. A dense grid of clusters, networks, and transfer actors deal with the transfer of AI competence into the economy. Key findings from the workshop series show: SMEs in Rhineland-Palatinate need orientation to help them uncover the potential applications of AI and connect with suitable contact persons for their innovation process. Equally, many SMEs lack the knowledge, and research and development capacity to make AI usable for their business processes. Last but not least, the availability of AI-capable data in SMEs and the further networking of AI players can be expanded.
Rhineland-Palatinate has a good basis for the further promotion of AI use. The central ways to further support AI efforts in the state are demonstrated by the establishment of a central and attractive range of information and the increased visibility of existing AI offers. In addition, the expansion of AI-related advisory and support services could empower SMEs in forging their own innovation paths. For an even more AI-friendly economy, it is also important to look at incentives for greater data availability and the provision of additional national data.
For more information, visit the ministry website (mwvlw.rlp.de):
Go to study (PDF, in German)
Read the study in the web magazine
Project team: Dr Georg Klose, Johanna Thierstein, Jonathan-Aton Talamo, Dr Jonathan Eberle, Holger Bornemann
Principal, Head of Digital Development
Expert
German industry is heavily dependent on raw materials and intermediate products from abroad, especially from China. Prognos analysed supply chains and developed recommendations for action.
How can innovations be implemented in practice? This is where the BMBF's ‘Innovative University’ funding initiative comes in. Prognos and Fraunhofer ISI are evaluating the programme.
Smart City and Smart Region – are they about innovative solutions or are they just expensive gimmicks? The Trendreport 2025 looks at the status quo and future prospects for Smart City in Germany.
Specialists waste a lot of time on tiresome routine tasks. 3D planning tools or digital twins can help. Our analysis for the Fraunhofer IGD shows which professional groups benefit directly from their digital technologies.
The Fraunhofer IGD develops software solutions in the field of visual computing. Sounds complicated? We show where these technologies solve specific problems.
The I3 Support Facility boosts interregional projects in smart specialisation, with Prognos leading the Capacity Building Hub.
Prognos will support the Federal Ministry of Economics in preparing the NECP progress reports until 2027.
With the involvement of relevant stakeholders, Prognos and partners developed conclusions for the further development of European structural funding after 2027.
In the field of AI, we are lagging behind internationally. But there are also opportunities. Together with the Handelsblatt, we show which players in the German AI landscape give cause for hope.
Eurostars supports cross-border research cooperation between SMEs in Europe. On behalf of the BMBF, Prognos analysed the effectiveness of the Eurostars 2 programme at national level.
Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.