Germany-wide ranking: This is what the 16 federal states are focusing on in their AI strategies

Research and development is the most frequently cited field of action

The study clearly shows that the nationwide focus is on the expansion and promotion of AI research and development. This field of action is mentioned 11 times in the strategy papers analysed, putting it in first place in the ranking. In this context, more than half of all German federal states are endeavouring to create new AI professorships or establish various research centres. Saarland, for example, is aiming to develop an AI hotspot in the key areas of automotive, Industry 4.0, eHealth and eGovernment. The city state of Berlin would like to support the merger of the two AI competence centres funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with the interlinking of AI activities at all Berlin universities.

Economy and promotion share 2nd place

The areas of business and funding received a total of eight mentions in the AI strategies analysed, sharing second place. In central Germany, the federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt are focussing on improving working conditions for employees through the use of artificial intelligence. In south-west Baden-Württemberg, one of the aims is to strengthen SMEs by setting up 19 regional AI labs as contact points for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The funding field of action focuses on projects that serve the development of AI applications and technology transfer. The Thuringian AI strategy consists of several factors in the area of funding, such as the Digital Bonus as a low-threshold offer for SMEs.

Training of skilled labour and expansion of infrastructure mentioned 7 times in AI strategies

In third place are two fields of action: Both the training of skilled workers and the expansion of infrastructure are mentioned seven times in the AI strategy papers of the German federal states analysed. In North Rhine-Westphalia in particular, the state government is focussing on the education and training of pupils, trainees, students, and professionals. To this end, various initiatives for AI qualification and securing young AI talent as well as lifelong learning are being promoted. Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt are leading the way in terms of infrastructure and mobility. Among other things, the two federal states are focussing on the development of a common European data infrastructure and the expansion of a digital infrastructure.

International and national cooperation only in 5th place among the identified fields of action

Only six of all federal states mention the networking and practical application of artificial intelligence in administration and the public sector in their AI strategies (4th place). The individual state governments see even less need for action when it comes to international and national cooperation in the field of AI. According to the strategy paper, only three federal states (Bremen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein) explicitly pursue the goal of joint exchange and networking beyond their borders.

Schleswig-Holstein sees area of action in society, Brandenburg focusses on health

Germany’s northernmost federal state, Schleswig-Holstein, is the only one to explicitly state that it also wants to utilise AI in the area of society. For example, forward-looking solutions for citizen-centred digital administration are to be developed by the “Joint Innovation Lab”. In Brandenburg, AI is focussed on the healthcare sector: Here, the Carl-Thiem-Klinikum Cottbus is to be transformed into a digital lead hospital.

About the investigation


Related News

Tourism analysis Germany: trends for the current summer 2025

How long tourists stay in Germany depends heavily on their origin, the destination within the country and regional conditions. In a recent analysis of the monthly tourism figures from the Federal Statistical Office, we at BSBI compared the average length of stay during the summer travel period.
Read More