The digital transformation of the regional economy has reached a new milestone: District Administrator Thomas Schürmann has officially handed over the funding notification for the joint project "KI für KMU NiederRhein" (AI for SMEs Lower Rhine). With a total funding amount of approximately €1.63 million, the project sends a clear signal for strengthening competitiveness in the Lower Rhine region. The funds are provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and co-financed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The initiative was developed as part of the "Regio.NRW – Transformation" call and aims to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and medium-sized business practices.

At its core, the project focuses on raising awareness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regarding the diverse opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence. Businesses often lack the resources or specific expertise required to implement technological innovations efficiently. This is where the project steps in by providing practical skills that contribute to securing long-term employment and value creation. The support ranges from initial information events to in-depth practical sessions that help companies identify and implement individual AI applications.

The University of Duisburg-Essen plays a central role in this cross-border network, bringing its scientific expertise directly to the region. Key contributors include Prof. Dr. Frederik Ahlemann and Falco Korn, as well as Prof. Dr. Hannes Rothe and Prof. Dr. Marc Eulerich. Together with the other partners—Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH (lead partner), Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, the Dutch Hogeschool van Arnhem en Nijmegen, and the economic development agencies of the Wesel and Kleve districts—they form a powerful network. This cooperation highlights the importance of technology transfer and demonstrates how collaboration between science and business can create sustainable momentum for the region.

This project is co-financed by the European Union. Interested parties can find more information about the program at www.efre.nrw.

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