Markus Söder has announced a new technology initiative entitled 'High-Tech Agenda Bavaria.' An investment volume of €2 billion will be channeled into the promotion of artificial intelligence and supertech, among other things, by 2023.
In his fifth government statement, the Bavarian Minister-President presented the 'High-Tech Agenda Bavaria.' Söder has earmarked a total of €2 billion for the initiative. The 'High-Tech Agenda Bavaria' comprises four pillars:
- 600 million euros to promote artificial intelligence and supertech
- 600 million euros for a restructuring and acceleration program for universities and mobile communications
- 400 million euros for higher education reform
- 400 million euros for a SME offensive
At the autumn retreat of the CSU parliamentary group, Söder had originally estimated only half of the investment amount. To finance the additional billion, the Free State plans to reduce its debt repayments. The Minister-President justified the additional investment as follows:
"We need courage for the future. Our High-Tech Agenda Bavaria is a strong signal to Bavaria, to Germany, and to the entire world. For Bavaria, I want to say: We will not stand idly by. We are forging our own path: We are launching the High-Tech Agenda Bavaria."
Markus Söder, Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU Chairman
'High-tech Agenda Bavaria': Focus on AI and Supertech
By investing in research into artificial intelligence The Free State of Bavaria is to become the leading AI district. To this end, 100 AI professorships will be created and a new AI Mission Institute will be established in Munich, which will combine research and entrepreneurial activities. Furthermore, the establishment of a so-called ELLIS Institute at the Helmholtz Zentrum München is planned, which will consolidate the activities of all Helmholtz centers nationwide in the field of biomedical AI.
Promoting supertech is also a central component of Bavaria's 'High-Tech Agenda'. The aim is to increasingly advance the fields of aerospace, quantum technology, and cleantech. Within this framework, funding will be channeled into planning a Bavarian quantum computer and the expansion of the newly established Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Technical University of Munich.
