Strengthening Competitive Edge: European Initiative Boosts Hamburg's Market Position
Hamburg, the "smartest" city in Germany according to the Smart City Index 2022, is taking a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey with the establishment of EDIH Hamburg. This European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) is a growing network of digital innovation centres, funded by the European Union, and Hamburg's hub started operations in December 2022.
The EDIH Hamburg consortium includes partners such as HITEC, Digital Hub Logistic, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), Technical University of Hamburg (TUHH), and aric. Companies and administration seeking assistance with digital transformation topics can reach out to Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Hamburg and the Handwerkskammer Hamburg, which support digitalization implementation with training and workshops offered at the ELBCAMPUS IT training center.
Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is crucial, and ethical questions must be a central part of considerations. Recognising this, AI is a focus topic for EDIH Hamburg, with many companies currently evaluating its diverse opportunities.
EDIH Hamburg offers a 'Test-before-invest' approach, providing various testing options even before projects begin. This approach aims to reduce risks and uncertainties for companies embarking on their digital transformation journeys. Interested parties can reach out to EDIH Hamburg at any time without commitment.
The Hamburg administration is also interested in cooperating with AI startups. To further foster this collaboration, the GovTech Campus for the Hamburg administration is being created.
The planned total budget for the 'Digital Europe' program, which funds EDIH, is €7.5 billion. With a budget of this scale, EDIH Hamburg provides uncomplicated help to companies and administration in developing digitalization strategies or building joint prototypes.
Hamburg has joined the OGP Local, a cities network for an open administration. This move signifies Hamburg's commitment to transparency, accountability, and innovation in its administrative practices.
For more information about EDIH Hamburg, visit their website at https://edih-hamburg.de. With EDIH Hamburg, Hamburg continues to lead the way in digital transformation, making it an attractive destination for businesses seeking to embrace the digital age.
