Amping Up Thuringia's Digital Pace: Minister Schutz Wants More Steam in Erfurt's Tech Hub
Accelerating Digital Transformation in Thuringia by Schuetz - Accelerating the digital transition in Thuringia is sought after by Schütz.
Get ready for tech innovation, digital education, and a buzzing exchange of ideas in Thuringia. Steffen Schutz, Thuringia’s Infrastructure Minister and Digitalization advocate, has ambitious plans to propel the state into the digital future, starting with the creation of a GovTech Campus in Erfurt. In November 20XX, this Central German city became home to the region’s first campus dedicated to streamlining administration, public facilities, and fostering collaboration.
This GovTech Campus seeks to establish itself as a hotspot for technological innovation, digital education, and interaction with key players in digitalization. The ultimate objective is to manufacture smoother, swifter, and more user-friendly digital services for Thuringia's residents and businesses alike.
Minister Schutz outlined a collaborative strategy with neighboring German states, drawing inspiration from states like Bavaria, who have already joined the GovTech Campus Germany e.V. since August 2024. Affiliated with this association is an infrastructure designed for innovation projects from both the state and administration, as well as a talent pool of tech partners from IT service providers to research institutions like the Fraunhofer Institute. Schutz firmly believes that by bringing together digital knowledge, Thuringia can thrive.
Research initiatives and the Digital Advisory Board are at the heart of the GovTech Campus. The campus will focus on the development of tools and methods that make laws and administrative services adapted to modern technology usage, thereby reducing bureaucracy. Three research projects from the University of Jena’s E-Government department will serve as the foundation for this initiative. Security in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in authorities is another crucial topic under scrutiny at the GovTech Campus. "Legislation that takes advantage of modern digital technologies will significantly increase the state’s efficacy," said Schutz.
The GovTech Campus Germany e.V. offers an infrastructure for the federal, state, and municipal governments to collaborate with the German and European tech scene. This week, Thuringia's Digital Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting. Independent of government, this expert body is slated to offer two years of guidance to the state government, advising on digital transformation strategies in all sectors.
A Glimpse into the Role and Purpose of a GovTech Campus
As a conduit for digitalization, education, and collaboration, a GovTech Campus, like other innovation hubs, generally plays a pivotal role.
Digitalization
- Modernizing Public Services: A space for developing and implementing digital solutions to public sector challenges
- Igniting Innovation: Supporting start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the tech sector via resources and incubation services
- Research and Development: Hosting initiatives focused on cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity
Education
- Skills Training: Offering educational programs, workshops, and training sessions to prepare public service workers for a digital economy
- Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating knowledge transfer and best practices among stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector
Collaboration
- Regional Partnerships: Fostering collaboration between states by sharing best practices and participating in joint projects
- Tech Partnerships: Encouraging partnerships with local and international tech companies to leverage expertise and technologies for public service improvement
- Community Building: Creating a network of stakeholders from government, business, and academia to drive innovation and digital transformation
- In line with Thuringia's digitalization drive, the GovTech Campus in Erfurt serves as a hub for modernizing public services, igniting innovation among tech start-ups and SMEs, and hosting initiatives on cutting-edge technologies like AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
- The GovTech Campus also offers educational programs, workshops, and training sessions to prepare public service workers for a digital economy, fostering knowledge transfer and best practices among stakeholders from government, academia, and the private sector.
- Minister Schutz has outlined a strategy for regional partnerships, drawing inspiration from states like Bavaria, aiming to foster collaboration by sharing best practices and participating in joint projects.
- The GovTech Campus in Thuringia also encourages partnerships with local and international tech companies to leverage expertise and technologies for public service improvement, creating a network of stakeholders from government, business, and academia to drive innovation and digital transformation.
