AI in NRW
Why NRW matters
With a population of more than 18 million, NRW is Germany’s most important economic region and one of Europe’s most attractive locations for investment. Located in the heart of Europe, NRW combines a strong industrial base with excellent research and a high level of innovation – ideal conditions for companies in future-oriented industries such as artificial intelligence.
6,539
companies in the digital technologies industry in NRW
€17.1
billion in sales in the digital technologies sector
13
high-performance data centers in the HPC.NRW network
97,600
employees already work in the digital technologies sector in NRW
3
hyperscale data centers are currently being built by Microsoft in NRW alone as part of its multi-billion euro investment in Germany.
Success factor: the market
In NRW, AI meets real industrial demand
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NRW combines industrial demand with direct access to computing power, research and pilot applications.
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In NRW, AI is not only developed but also put to productive use and scaled – in industry, manufacturing and industrial services.
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One in five companies in NRW already uses AI in practice.
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Cologne-based DeepL is one of the world’s leading companies in AI-based language processing and operates in more than 200 markets.
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Companies such as Beckhoff Automation, Wilo SE, and CLAAS are already successfully integrating AI into production, machine control, manufacturing optimization and smart farming.
Success factor: talent and science
Cutting-edge research, AI talent and industrial expertise all in one place
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NRW offers one of Europe’s most dynamic science and talent ecosystems.
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With more academic institutions than Île-de-France or Greater London, NRW boasts an exceptional concentration of research.
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The Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, based in Bonn and Dortmund, is one of Germany’s six national AI centers of excellence.
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The Fraunhofer IAIS in Sankt Augustin is one of Europe’s leading institutes for applied AI.
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Universities and research institutions collaborate with companies to develop industrial AI applications and transfer projects.
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The combination of cutting-edge research, talent, and industrial expertise makes NRW one of Europe’s most attractive AI hubs.
Success factor: implementation
In NRW, AI becomes industrial reality
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Clusters, digital hubs, and AI initiatives help companies quickly integrate AI technologies into their processes, products and business models.
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Microsoft is investing a total of 3.2 billion euros in its infrastructure and services in Germany – a significant portion of which is going toward data centers in the Rhenish mining region, which are now moving into the implementation phase following the groundbreaking ceremony.
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The JUPITER AI Factory at Forschungszentrum Jülich is developing Europe’s first exascale supercomputer and the fastest computer in Europe.
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The HPC.NRW network makes high-performance data centers accessible to research institutions and companies.
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AI.NRW and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) support companies in the introduction and scaling of AI applications.
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The AI Village Hürth and five Digital Hubs promote networking, pilot projects and technology transfer.
You can’t have everything – except in NRW
Feel the sound of innovation in NRW: Europe's Heartbeat
Your path to AI in NRW
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions
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Photo credits
The photographic material was kindly provided by
© NRW.Global Business / AI-generated
© Adobe Stock, Gorodenkoff
© NRW.Global Business / Christian Lord Otto
© Denisik11, shutterstock.com
Welcome to NRW!
The state's innovation topics unite fields with significant growth potential. They underline how business, science and research are developing joint solutions for tomorrow's challenges.