Message by
Dr Bernhard Kotsch
State Secretary (Federal Foreign Office)
The German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) are integral to the execution of science diplomacy, which draws on the power of research and knowledge to shape and influence international relations. The DWIH contribute largely towards positioning Germany as a global leader in research, science and innovation by building important international partnerships in these fields.
With their shared focus topic for 2024, “Artificial Intelligence – Spotlight on People and Society”, the DWIH have drawn attention to a technology that is reshaping not only business and science, but also the way we live our daily lives.
AI has the potential to drive progress and innovation for the good of humanity – but it also poses risks, from disinformation and cyberattacks to the development of banned weaponry. To protect democratic, open, pluralistic and inclusive societies, we must ensure that the opportunities and dangers of AI are debated openly and governed with transparency. The fundamental principle that should govern the development of AI is an approach that prioritises the well-being of individuals and the safeguarding of human rights.
I would like to thank the DWIH for the pivotal role they play in this and other vital debates — always with a view to the international dimension. At a time of global uncertainty, their work is more essential than ever. All the best to those involved!
Prof. Dr Patrick Cramer
President of the Max Planck Society
The world is changing at a rapid pace – driven by geopolitical shifts, but also by innovation. In 2024, the programme of the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) focussed on what is arguably the most prominent innovation of our time: Artificial Intelligence. AI is already transforming science, and it is having a profound impact on business and society, too. As AI systems start to permeate many different areas of life around the world, it is crucial for us to carefully consider how we deal with the risks involved in this development.
In times of major upheaval, international dialogue between researchers and innovators is more crucial than ever. The DWIH enable this exchange by fostering international networks. Fresh perspectives are necessary, providing a vibrant source of inspiration. And cooperation is essential: we need to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones. The challenges of a global transformation can only be met by joining forces. And only through joint efforts we will arrive at a shared vision of our future.
Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee
President of the DAAD
How is Germany’s innovation landscape linked to global partners? What are its strengths – and how can all sides benefit from them? At a time when international cooperation is under increasing strain, the global network of the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) continues to offer meaningful answers. In 2024, the DWIH once again fostered dialogue between innovation leaders from Germany and around the world – with the focus topic “Artificial Intelligence: Spotlight on People and Society”, exploring collaboration across many different levels.
Whether in India or Japan, Brazil or the United States: AI is radically transforming our societies. As showcases and platforms for Germany’s research and innovation landscape, the DWIH promote outstanding research in the field of artificial intelligence. At the same time, they exemplify how stakeholders in science, industry and politics in Germany join forces to develop forward-looking solutions – not just in AI, but across a range of topics. I cordially invite you to explore the digital 2024 DWIH Annual Report and see how the German Centres for Research and Innovation have once again fostered exceptionally diverse dialogue across borders.
The DWIH network in 2024
Even during a period of major global upheaval, the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) continue to be present and visible, fostering international dialogue on crucial future issues.
Over time, each Centre has developed a distinct profile of its own.
Dr Ursula Paintner,
Director Communications at the DAAD
The reach of the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) extends far beyond the innovation hubs of the USA and Asia. In Germany, too, their work and that of the DWIH management office in Bonn is making an increasingly significant impact. This was evident at the DWIH Network Day held in Berlin in June 2024, where numerous participants from the fields of politics, research and technology transfer gathered for a DIWH showcase event. They heard first-hand how DWIH New Delhi is promoting science-based entrepreneurship and how DWIH New York is at work in the field of science diplomacy. The event also explored the manyfolded ways DWIH São Paulo is embedded in Brazil’s research landscape, as well as highlighting the links between DWIH San Francisco and California’s innovation ecosystem. Meanwhile, DWIH Tokyo showcased its many years of expertise in artificial intelligence – a shared focus across all five centres in 2024 that was explored from a wide range of perspectives.
But the scope of the DWIH's activities extends well beyond individual initiatives and annual events: it consistently helps connect key players from Germany’s innovation scene for future-focused international cooperations. The DWIH do more than share knowledge – they create genuine opportunities for exchange in their host countries and in regions of particular interest to Germany, offering German researchers, innovators and institutions targeted platforms to showcase their work and engage in effective, hands-on networking.
The DWIH Network Day 2024 in Berlin provided an opportunity to exchange ideas with the DWIH.
“The DWIH were established some 15 years ago to raise Germany’s profile as a hub for research and innovation,” explains Dr Ursula Paintner, Director Communications at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), where the DWIH management office is based. As the DAAD’s Director with responsibility for the DWIH management office, she explains how, “over time, each Centre has developed a distinct profile of its own, and today the DWIH provide tailored opportunities for international networking on a broad spectrum of innovation topics.” In doing so, they take account of the often starkly differing contexts in each of the host countries.
To illustrate this special aspect, Ursula Paintner compares San Francisco and São Paulo: “In Brazil there’s a longstanding tradition of exchange with Germany’s research and innovation community, recently marked with the bicentenary of German immigration to Brazil. Meanwhile in California, the presence of Silicon Valley creates intense competition among innovators from all over the world. In both these contexts, the DWIH have managed to forge fresh links and open the door to new partnerships.”
Benefits for science and industry
The German Centres for Research and Innovation serve German research and research-driven industry in many ways – the activities in the year 2024 showed this quite clearly. “The Centres have a very clear sense of what matters most to Germany in their regions,” says Paintner. “In India, for instance, it’s the extraordinarily dynamic start-up scene, which shows how rapidly scientific ideas can be brought to market.” A series of recent events hosted by DWIH New Delhi demonstrated how India has grown into one of the world’s largest start-up ecosystems. In Japan, DWIH Tokyo focused on circular economy potential and new approaches to Industry 4.0 in the context of German-Japanese exchange. As co-organiser of the AsiaBerlin Summit in Tokyo in May 2024, the Tokyo Centre for Research and Innovation also helped to focus the on the aspects that might be crucial for tomorrow’s “smart society”.
The DWIH will continue helping to advance and connect research and innovation across borders.
Dr Ursula Paintner,
Director Communications at the DAAD
The DWIH network continues to be active in Russia, too. DWIH Moscow provides insights into the Russian research landscape, while also – on a small scale – creating opportunities for Russian researchers to get in contact.
In the face of global political shifts, the DWIH are committed to supporting innovation worldwide. And innovation isn’t just about technical or financial resources: increasingly, it depends on the collaboration between science and policy to drive change. DWIH New York has steadily expanded its work in the area of science diplomacy in recent years: its October 2024 FUTURE FORUM in Washington D.C. focused on “Science Diplomacy in an Era of Technological Disruption” – underlining ways in which diplomacy and science can each support the other. Ursula Paintner summarizes: “However much local conditions may differ around the world, the DWIH will continue to strengthen international dialogue, thereby helping to advance and connect research and innovation across borders.”
Johannes Göbel
The DWIH network 2024 in Numbers
The global DWIH network has 75 supporters (and 73 associated supporters).
board members from academia, business and politics are responsible for the strategic management of the DWIH network. The DAAD is responsible for managing the DWIH office.
In 2024, the DWIH (co-)organised 156 events at its international locations and virtually.
speakers accepted invitations from the DWIH network.
speakers from German institutions contributed to DWIH events.
speakers from institutions outside Germany spoke at the DWIH.
Around 39,350 people were reached through events involving the DWIH in 2024.
events on the main topic of ‘AI: Focus on People and Society’ were organised in 2024.
DWIH FOCUS TOPIC 2024
Artificial intelligence: spotlight on people and society
Researchers at the Konrad Zuse School of Excellence in Embedded Composite Artificial Intelligence (SECAI) at TU Dresden
International cooperation is key to ensuring that artificial intelligence is put to effective use. We take a look at the host countries of the German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) and their perspectives on this technology.
In early February 2025, representatives from more than 100 countries gathered in Paris for the “AI Action Summit” to discuss the future of artificial intelligence, define international standards and promote the sustainable and ethically responsible development of AI. Following the summits in Bletchley in 2023 and Seoul in 2024, this was the third time that heads of state and government, entrepreneurs, researchers and civil society figures had come together to debate the opportunities and risks associated with this highly disruptive technology.
For many experts, the Paris summit marked a turning point: European countries are now taking taking the reins and no longer leaving innovation in this field to the major players in the US and China. A total of 200 billion euros is to be invested in the development of European AI – under the largest public-private partnership the world has seen to date.
Germany as an AI hub
These are encouraging signals for Germany. With its AI strategy launched in 2018 and updated in 2020, Germany has focused on applications where ethical and social issues are given top priority. And while this kind of risk-aware approach has long been talked about, the billions it would need may now finally be on the table. The framework is provided by the EU’s AI Act, which came into force on 1 April 2024. Despite being the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence, this has tended to be regarded as a brake on innovation up to now. However, a fresh readiness to invest could help Europe regain its standing as a pioneer in AI. The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) was setting international standards in the field as early as the 1980s.
Longstanding partnerships and shared visions
The example of the DFKI also shows the value and importance of international partnerships are when it comes to disruptive technologies. The DFKI has been collaborating with Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) on AI for more than 30 years, as well as working closely with Japan’s National Institute for Informatics (NII). Master’s students, doctoral candidates, postdocs and researchers at both institutions have the chance to pool their expertise in joint projects. Germany and Japan share a common vision concerning the societal changes that disruptive technologies can bring about. Their research is centred on human-machine interaction that is designed with particular consideration for ethical and security-related concerns.
India, too, sees the vast potential of AI when it comes to addressing many of the challenges it faces as it moves towards becoming a leading industrial nation – such as in medicine, infrastructure, education and nutrition. The government is investing heavily in AI-related research and development under its “National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence”, which was published in 2018. Like its partners in Germany and Europe, India is committed to a responsible and inclusive approach – for instance through sector-specific guidelines on data privacy, safety and ethics. Germany and India have a longstanding partnership in the area of science and technology.
The US – a key partner
When it comes to innovation and investment in AI, the US remain an important point of reference, and German universities are involved in numerous transatlantic research partnerships. One example is the Technical University of Munich (TUM), which is a member of the “AI Alliance” set up by US companies and numbering more than 50 global firms, organisations and universities. The idea here is to enable flexible sharing of data and resources. TUM is able to contribute leading expertise in AI-based robotics and AI-supported knowledge acquisition. The US have taken note of German AI expertise, too: OpenAI announced plans to open an office in Munich in early 2025. In addition to hiring skilled workers, the company is looking to expand its collaborative activities with German universities.
Opportunities in the health sector
Artificial intelligence is also seen as holding enormous promise in the field of healthcare. AI-driven applications are already proving highly effective in analysing medical images for signs of disease and in supporting drug development. Some companies are developing platforms that can simulate how millions of cells respond to a wide range of medications and active ingredients.
AI is well suited to forecasting epidemiological trends, too. Brazil is one country that is already using AI successfully in healthcare. In 2021 it established six applied research centres (CPAs) for AI, two of which focus specifically on healthcare. Supported with substantial funding, these facilities are working on AI solutions in a range of areas within healthcare – including epidemic response and the management of natural disasters.
The use of AI to support pandemic preparedness is a case in point that illustrates a worthwhile direction for this world-changing technology. The aim should be to make the development of AI a transnational project – one that not only draws strength from international cooperation but which also channels its transformative power for the good of all humankind.
Klaus Lüber
DWIH New York
STATEMENT
“The focus is often less on whether AI should be used and more on how it should be implemented”
Christian Strowa, Director of DWIH New York
The United States is a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence.
Christian Strowa,
Director of DWIH New York
“The United States is a global leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Here, the focus is often less on whether AI should be used and more on how it should be implemented – while also ensuring that the general public is included, and that AI is approached ethically. This is no longer just a West Coast phenomenon: At the end of 2023, for example, the state of New York launched the Empire AI Consortium, supported by both public and private funding. This initiative promotes AI innovation through a state-of-the-art AI computing center at the University at Buffalo and advances the responsible use of AI to address societal challenges. At the same time, the City of New York introduced its first comprehensive AI Action Plan, outlining key measures for the responsible and effective use of AI in city administration. In addition to risk assessments and streamlining administrative processes, the plan emphasizes public engagement and the ethical application of AI. All of this is happening precisely at the intersection where the DWIH operates: connecting universities, businesses, policymakers, and the broader public.”
IN FOCUS
The Work of DWIH New York in 2024
Science diplomacy is one of the key priorities of DWIH New York. Accordingly, in 2024, the institution once again intensively examined the interaction between science and politics in various contexts. Topics such as sustainability, strategies for contemporary science communication, and the societal and political dimensions of disruptive technologies all played a role.
Evelina Santa-Kahle, Science Counselor at the German Embassy in Washington, at the side event of the Future Summit
Science as a Bridge-Builder
The major challenges of our time are difficult to tackle without fact-based decisions within a cooperative, global framework. It is evident that science can play a crucial role in this process. With the outcome document of the UN Summit of the Future, delegates in September 2024 emphasized, together with its partners, contributed to this discourse with a side event, “Building Bridges Through Science Diplomacy: Accelerating Progress Towards Sustainable Development.” “We wanted to showcase case studies of science diplomacy via a wide range of fields—from physics and biodiversity conservation to the use of Indigenous knowledge,” said Dr. Jan Lüdert, Head of Programs at DWIH New York. “Science is a global endeavor founded on universal principles, it significantly strengthens international efforts for peace and security.”
Participants in the “Pitch Night” as part of the STEP USA University program
From Lab to Market
New York boasts one of the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystems. The goal of the STEP USA University program, developed by DWIH New York in collaboration with the German American Chamber of Commerce in New York, is to facilitate market entry for German entrepreneurs in the U.S. while also showcasing German innovation. In 2024, the three-day event was held twice. “It was once again impressive to see how these founders managed to transform top-tier research into product ideas,” said Christian Strowa, Director of DWIH New York. One example is Digity, a spinoff from the University Medical Center Göttingen, which develops exoskeletons for hand injury rehabilitation. For co-founder Viola Bartels, the STEP program was especially valuable for networking and preparing for the unique “pitch culture” in the U.S.: “We gained valuable insights into the social and business culture, which is crucial for market entry.”
Intercultural Communication for Career Success
Scientists are increasingly working in global networks. Consequently, in addition to academic expertise, intercultural competence is becoming ever more essential. To address this need, the University of Connecticut (UCONN) has developed two dual-degree programs that allow students to combine German Studies with training in business as well as engineering. The symposium Germany on Campus, held on November 14, 2024, provided an opportunity for interested students to learn more about these programs and connect with alumni. The goal is not only to teach students the German language but to facilitate internships with German companies, which have a strong presence in Connecticut. “The two UCONN programs demonstrate the great potential of fostering an intercultural, and in this case explicitly transatlantic, approach in academia,” emphasized Jan Lüdert.
Art and Science
“Fascination Science” exhibition in New York
In an era of science skepticism and misinformation, it is increasingly important to communicate the purpose and significance of scientific findings clearly and concisely. A widely noted attempt to do so has been made by renowned German photographer and documentary filmmaker Herlinde Koelbl. For her photographic portrait series “Fascination Science”, she asked scientists to sketch the essence of their research onto the palm of their hand—some wrote words, others formulas, and some created small artworks. Marine researcher Professor Antje Boetius, for instance, proudly presents a miniature drawing of a sailing ship in her portrait. At the exhibition’s opening in New York, Koelbl met with German-American Nobel laureate in chemistry Joachim Frank for a discussion on May 28, 2024. “It was particularly inspiring to see how Professor Frank, as a gifted science communicator, succeeds in translating complex ideas into simple words,” recalled Jan Lüdert.
The Consequences of Artificial Intelligence
How will artificial intelligence impact our society? Given the rapid developments and deregulatory tendencies observed under the Trump administration, many lean toward a skeptical assessment of AI´s impact. This sentiment was also evident among the audience of the panel discussion “What are the Consequences of AI?”, hosted by DWIH New York on March 13, 2024. Physicist Professor Jesse Thaler and IBM researcher Dr. Hendrik Strobelt took questions from Renate Kurowski-Cardello, President of the Kurt Forrest Foundation. “It was fascinating to see how positively both renowned AI researchers view future developments,” said Jan Lüdert. Jesse Thaler spoke about the enormous benefits AI offers to research, enabling PhD students and postdocs to gain an overview quickly and focus on formulating relevant research questions. Strobelt, in turn, argued that AI should be seen more as a tool than a threat—perhaps a consequence of the term artificial intelligence itself, which suggests an overly close resemblance to human capabilities.
DWIH New York 2024 in Numbers
A total of around 3,000 professionals connected through DWIH New York in 2024.
In 2024, DWIH New York organized or supported more than 50 activities.
As part of the STEP program, 17 German startups received support in 2024.
The DWIH New York LinkedIn page gained more than 1,000 new followers over the course of the year.
SPOTLIGHT
Cooperation Instead of Competition
To what extent does profound technological progress require new forms of science diplomacy, adapted governance structures, and a strategic realignment of national interests? High-ranking experts exchanged views on these questions at the FUTURE FORUM 2024.
At the FUTURE FORUM 2024
What does rapid technological change mean for International Relations? This was one of the key questions addressed by the FUTURE FORUM 2024, organized by DWIH New York. “We wanted to take the opportunity to apply our long-standing focus on science diplomacy, which we have been pursuing through our activities in New York for many years, to the 2024 annual theme: Artificial Intelligence,” said Christian Strowa, Director of DWIH New York. To explore this thematic connection, DWIH NY invited experts to a workshop at the beginning of the year. “The rapid pace of development and recent breakthroughs in AI will have a significant impact on society and, naturally, on politics,” added Dr. Jan Lüdert, Head of Programs at DWIH New York. At the same time, politics shapes technological development through standardization and regulatory frameworks—the European Union’s AI Act is one example.
The final panel of the FUTURE FORUM, titled “New Frontiers in Science Diplomacy,” highlighted the intricate link between foreign science policy and technological advancement. According to the panel’s moderator, Kathrin Kohs, Director of International Cooperation at the German Research Foundation (DFG), disruptive technologies such as AI demand a new kind of science diplomacy. One key challenge, as Christian Neubacher, Policy Engagement Planning Coordinator at the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge, pointed out, is that these technologies require deep technical expertise, making international cooperation more difficult. However, he cited the EU-US Trade and Technology Council’s (TTC) Joint AI Risk Framework (2022) as an example of successful transnational collaboration.
DWIH Director Christian Strowa, DAAD Vice President Muriel Helbig, DWIH Program Director Jan Lüdert (from left to right)
Competition in Space
The complexity of science diplomacy is not only increasing in terms of content but also in terms of who participates. “In the past, science diplomacy primarily took place between institutional actors. Now, the private sector has entered the scene,” noted Professor Sumie Nakaya from the Centre for Global Online Education at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. “And many still don’t know exactly how to collaborate effectively.” This is particularly relevant for Nakaya’s area of expertise—disaster resilience research. Here, scientific communities must engage more closely with humanitarian organizations to develop effective crisis management strategies. Traditional diplomacy, she argued, is reaching its limits.
AI aggregates global knowledge and makes it accessible for diverse applications.
Professor Anette Wu,
Columbia University
A similar perspective was offered by Professor Francisco Del Canto Viterale from the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Science at the University of North Dakota. Viterale focuses on space exploration, a field long considered a prime example of successful science diplomacy. Despite geopolitical tensions, the International Space Station (ISS) remains a model of multilateral cooperation, where seven astronauts from four nations—including the U.S. and Russia—continue working together despite the war in Ukraine. However, the emergence of private companies and the intensified competition for resources are complicating space diplomacy. The growing geostrategic importance of space also poses potential for conflict. “A fierce competition has begun,” said Viterale.
An IPCC for Artificial Intelligence
Yet, this competitive mindset needs to be re-evaluated, argued Professor Anette Wu from Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. According to Wu, science reaches its full potential only through cross-border collaboration. AI, in particular, holds tremendous promise because it aggregates global knowledge and makes it accessible for diverse applications.
However, as Christian Neubacher pointed out, individual nations are highly motivated to advance AI development to strengthen their own positions, which hinders international cooperation and much-needed AI regulation. Neubacher proposed a multilateral institutional approach similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which compiles scientific reports on climate change. A comparable body for AI could assess opportunities and risks and serve as an international scientific backbone to bridge political divides.
View of the Capitol from the event venue in Washington, D.C. The FUTURE FORUM took place at the Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Hub in the Bloomberg Center.
Japan’s Inclusive Approach
Disruptive technologies like AI have the potential to fundamentally transform our world—which is why discussions shouldn’t be limited to their technical capabilities. Instead, societies must proactively define the direction of their transformation. Japan exemplifies this approach with its “Society 5.0” vision. Since its G7 presidency in 2023, the country has been working toward global and inclusive AI governance by fostering open dialogues and multilateral processes. “There is a genuine interest in involving as many nations as possible in a shared vision,” said Yuko Harayama, Emeritus Professor at Tohoku University. DWIH New York’s Jan Lüdert also emphasized the urgent need to engage more deeply with the transformational potential of disruptive technologies. “Science diplomacy actors will increasingly require technical expertise. Only then can they adequately address the consequences of rapid technological development. This is an area where we definitely have to catch up,” Lüdert concluded.
Klaus Lüber
DWIH São Paulo
STATEMENT
“A strong potential in a number of fields for research partnerships”
Katharina Fourier, Director of DWIH São Paulo
Effective science communication helps strengthen Brazil and Germany alike as centres of research and innovation.
Katharina Fourier,
Director of DWIH São Paulo
“Brazil has strong potential in a number of fields for research partnerships that connect science and industry, too. The country faces the challenge of developing sustainable models for managing its vast natural resources. This is why one key focus of German-Brazilian collaboration is renewable energy – including the production of green hydrogen – as well as environmental technologies and climate research. Brazil is a very strong player in biotechnology, too – particularly in personalised medicine and vaccine development. Artificial intelligence is gaining importance as well, which is why we’re dedicating the 11th German-Brazilian Dialogue in May 2025 to this topic.” DWIH São Paulo’s strategy for driving innovation is built on three pillars. We foster synergies between German, Brazilian and international actors in the promising fields mentioned, and we also create dialogue platforms that connect science, business and society, supporting knowledge transfer and collaboration. And last but not least, we aim to make research topics accessible to the wider public and so as to reach as many segments of society as possible. Effective science communication helps strengthen Brazil and Germany alike as centres of research and innovation.”
IN FOCUS
The work of DWIH São Paulo in 2024
In 2024 DWIH São Paulo tackled a wide range of innovation topics that are relevant to society – from renewable energy to the challenges of healthcare in ageing populations. One major thread running through the year was the 200th anniversary of German immigration to Brazil.
Round table: teaching and research in Brazil
What appeal does an academic career in Brazil hold for international researchers? This was the key focus of a DWIH São Paulo panel discussion at the 76th annual meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC) in July 2024. Panellists included German researchers Stephanie Dahn Batista and Judith Hoelzemann, both tenured professors involved in teaching and research at federal universities in Brazil. The event was held to mark the 200th anniversary of German immigration to Brazil. “The close academic ties between our two countries have deep historical roots,” says Marcio Weichert, Head of Programme at DWIH São Paulo until March 2025. “The anniversary celebrations gave us a chance to reflect the current situation – and look ahead to the future, too.” While researcher mobility from Brazil to Germany has bounced back to pre-Covid levels, the flow in the other direction is still well below 2019 figures. One reason for this could be funding cuts in research and science in Brazil, says Weichert. “Even so, Brazilian research institutes and universities offer not only attractive research opportunities but also clear and well-structured academic career paths.” Anyone who passes the public service exam in Brazil is usually granted tenure after three years in the role. DWIH São Paulo also released a video series on the topic in 2024, featuring statements by German professors who work at Brazilian universities.
Symposium „Unlocking Sustainable Futures“
Symposium on renewables
“Sustainability remained a key theme for us in 2024,” says Marcio Weichert. One major event was the international symposium “Unlocking Sustainable Futures”, held in Florianópolis in April with the support of DWIH São Paulo. The talks and workshops focused on three key areas: the latest developments in solar energy, green hydrogen, and the potential of so-called second-life batteries – i.e. those that are taken from electric vehicles but can still be used for other purposes. Organised jointly by the Technical University Ingolstadt, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the Federal University of Santa Catarina, the event was attended by researchers, students and representatives of international companies.
Symposium „Care that Matters, Matters of Care“
International dialogue on the subject of care
By 2030, nearly six million people will be in need of care in Germany. Though a significantly younger society, Brazil faces similar demographic shifts: birth rates are falling, while life expectancy has risen dramatically in recent decades. The growing importance of the care sector was the focus of the international symposium Care that Matters, Matters of Care, held in October 2024 at the Maria Sibylla Merian Centre Conviviality-Inequality in Latin America (Mecila) at the University of São Paulo (USP), supported by DWIH São Paulo. One major theme: how the care sector might help reduce social inequality – and why it often lacks public appreciation, despite its importance. Held ahead of the G20 summit in Rio, the symposium was initiated by the T20 group, a network of think tanks and research institutions from G20 member countries.
Falling Walls Lab: innovative air conditioning technology
Air conditioning and heating systems account for 17% of global electricity use – and rely heavily on environmentally harmful fluids. Guilherme Fidelis Peixer of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) won the Falling Walls Lab Brazil 2024 with an innovative solution to this problem: His project “MagChill” – which he later presented at the global final in Berlin in November – offers a highly efficient way to heat and cool using magnetism, without harmful fluids and with a significantly lower level of energy consumption. With 74 project submissions from across the entire country, the Falling Walls Lab Brazil was organised by DWIH São Paulo in cooperation with the DAAD, the German Federal Foreign Office and CESAR School in Recife. Marcio Weichert highlights the outstanding quality of the entries: “And it was very encouraging to see that, for the first time, the second round of the competition featured roughly equal numbers of women and men.”
DWIH São Paulo 2024 in Numbers
people follow DWIH São Paulo on LinkedIn.
video views were recorded by DWIH São Paulo on YouTube in 2024.
applications were submitted for the Falling Walls Lab Brazil 2024, making it one of the largest competitions of its kind in the world.
SPOTLIGHT
Shaping AI regulation responsibly and in a way that fosters innovation
At the event “AI 20: Artificial Intelligence in the Global Context” in Rio de Janeiro, international experts from a range of disciplines came together to discuss the opportunities and risks associated with AI. In the run-up to the G20 summit in the Brazilian city, they developed recommendations for AI guidelines aimed at ensuring accessibility, fairness and transparency.
Panel at the event “AI 20: Artificial Intelligence in the Global Context”
While AI applications are already changing day-to-day life for many people, governments around the world are grappling with the question of what rules should govern the development and use of these technologies in the future. “Without proper regulation, tech firms could amass huge power simply by controlling vast quantities of data,” warns Professor Wolfgang Schulz, Director of the Leibniz Institute for Media Research in Hamburg (HBI). “That would not only distort economic competition, it would also enable a level of intrusion into privacy that was previously unimaginable.” Conversely, overly rigid or unfocused AI regulation could mean that countries like Germany would risk falling behind those that choose not to impose such restrictions.
Striking this balance between innovation and responsibility was a key concern at the discussion event “AI 20: Artificial Intelligence in the Global Context”, held in Rio de Janeiro and organised by the Leibniz Institute for Media Research (HBI) in cooperation with DWIH São Paulo, the Instituto de Tecnologia e Sociedade – ITS Rio, and the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). The meeting took place in July 2024, just two months after the EU adopted the world’s first law regulating AI (the AI Act) and four months before the G20 summit. A policy paper drafted at the event was later presented at the summit.
“AI doesn’t impact all societies in the same way,” explains Vincent Hofmann, a research assistant at HBI, adding that this was due to the widely differing social and economic contexts. However, the EU legislation will still have a global impact, he says, simply because of the sheer size of the European market: “That’s why international dialogue on AI regulation is so vital.”
Brazil’s strong potential in the field of AI
Among the participants at the Rio event was computer scientist and AI governance expert Professor Virgilio Almeida. An emeritus professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Almeida highlighted Brazil’s strong potential in the field of artificial intelligence, driven in part by a highly skilled pool of graduates and diverse data sets. He emphasised the importance of identifying key sectors in the economy and society where AI could deliver genuine progress, while also putting “robust regulations” in place. “In Brazil it’s particularly important to adopt policies that prevent AI from deepening social and economic inequalities and instead ensure that technological progress promotes inclusion and shared prosperity,” said Almeida.
If AI systems aren’t developed with inclusivity in mind, they can result in marginalised communities being excluded.
Celina Bottino,
Director of ITS Rio
The Brazilian government has been investing in the field since 2021, funding six applied AI centres focused on areas such as improved transport management and more precise epidemiological models. But the risks AI poses to society are the subject of intense debate in Brazil, too. One concern is the use of AI for facial recognition – something that is already happening in some Brazilian cities. Critics argue that these systems disadvantage people of colour due to biased training data. Meanwhile, the Director of ITS Rio Celina Bottino points to further risks: “If AI systems aren’t developed with inclusivity in mind, they can result in marginalised communities being excluded – such as when public services become inaccessible due to digital barriers, a lack of language diversity, or bias in automated decision-making.”
The policy paper developed at the event and presented at the G20 summit in Rio contains recommendations structured around three key areas and aimed at regulators, lawmakers, tech companies and researchers. One recommendation that Celina Bottino sees as particularly important has to do with improving access to public information: AI could be used to summarise complex texts, simplify language and make official content more accessible to a wider audience. This could also support the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, she says, which calls for access to justice for all and the development of accountable and inclusive institutions.
Another key recommendation contained in the paper involves regulated testing environments – so-called “sandboxes” – that are designed to allow innovative AI applications to be trialled in a controlled setting. In order to safeguard the public interest and help ensure balanced power structures, the experts also recommend involving civil society organisations and underrepresented groups in the design and development of sandboxes. Another topic discussed at the event was international copyright. Here participants proposed holding a diplomatic conference to address fair compensation for authors whose works are used to train AI systems. They also suggested considering amendments to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works that reflect these concerns.
The power of cross-sector dialogue
Alongside researchers, the discussion also involved representatives of government bodies, NGOs and the tech companies OpenAI and Meta. According to Celina Bottino, the event demonstrated just how crucial cross-sector dialogue is when it comes to ensuring fair and inclusive AI governance. Marcio Weichert, DWIH São Paulo Head of Programme until March 2025, agrees: “The reason this event was such a success was because it brought together international experts from academia, industry and civil society.”
DWIH São Paulo’s 2024 theme of the year, AI also featured prominently in this year’s “Startups Connected” competition. The German startup paged.ai won the competition with a tool that helps users identify the addictive potential of social media content. It is an app that classifies content based on its speed: fast-paced content is typically less informative and more harmful than slower content, which tends to be less addictive. Co-founder Denis Tuzsuz presented the tool on a roadshow that took him to several cities across Brazil. “Paged.ai attracted a great deal of interest among researchers and businesses alike,” says Marcio Weichert.
Artificial intelligence is set to remain a key focus for DWIH São Paulo in 2025. Taking place in May 2025, the 11th German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science, Research and Innovation will explore the potential and limitations of AI in medicine, engineering and the humanities – with regulation once again a central issue.
Miriam Hoffmeyer
DWIH San Francisco
STATEMENT
“Characterized by a visionary, intercultural mindset”
Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori, Director of DWIH San Francisco
San Francisco and the Bay Area are a hub for artificial intelligence.
Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori,
Director of DWIH San Francisco
“San Francisco and the Bay Area are a hub for artificial intelligence (AI). Even in 2024, groundbreaking AI innovations from Silicon Valley attracted a great deal of attention. But what truly sets the region apart in the discussion of cutting-edge technologies is that it’s not just about technological advancement — it's also about asking who benefits from it and how it can be developed responsibly. The region remains a hotspot for top-tier interdisciplinary research. At the same time, we are seeing an increasing connection to societal issues in San Francisco and the Bay Area. This approach of Good Research Practice also plays an important role in the transatlantic activities of DWIH San Francisco. The Bay Area is characterized by openness, team spirit, and a visionary, intercultural mindset that looks beyond disciplinary boundaries and fosters entrepreneurship. We reflect this spirit in our work by bringing together researchers with a variety of stakeholders and specifically promoting young talent, women, and diversity. Innovation emerges through dialogue among many perspectives.”
IN FOCUS
The Work of DWIH San Francisco in 2024
Innovation, social justice, and sustainable technologies took center stage at DWIH San Francisco events in 2024. These themes highlighted how closely scientific progress is tied to social responsibility.
Participants in the program „GUILD Women in Entrepreneurship“
Promoting Innovation through Diversity
In the innovative world of start-ups, female scientists remain significantly underrepresented. Despite their outstanding qualifications and research achievements, many struggle to take the leap into entrepreneurship. While reports like the KfW Start-up Monitor 2024 show a rising number of women entrepreneurs in Germany, structural barriers still make the transition from research to entrepreneurship difficult. With the program GUILD Women in Entrepreneurship, DWIH San Francisco, in collaboration with the GUILD Academy, supports women in developing entrepreneurial skills. In spring 2024, ten selected female researchers from Germany first took part in an eight-week online academy focused on entrepreneurship, where they refined their ideas and submitted a pitch. They then traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area for a week, attended sessions on prototyping, marketing, financing, and pitching, and received individual coaching. Through conversations with investors and start-up leaders, they deepened their understanding of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem and built valuable networks with regional innovation drivers. “These participants not only foster transatlantic networks, but also diversity and innovation,” summarized DWIH Director Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori.
Panel discussion: “Emerging Technology and Geopolitics”
Diplomacy in the Digital Age
Amid rapid technological change, diplomacy faces unprecedented challenges. Digital technologies are increasingly shaping international relations, and traditional diplomatic tools often fall short in addressing the complexities of the modern world. How are governments worldwide adapting their diplomatic approaches, and what new alliances or conflicts may arise? These questions were explored in December 2024 during the high-level international panel discussion Emerging Technology and Geopolitics hosted by DWIH San Francisco. Diplomats from Brazil, Germany, India, and Kazakhstan shared how technological advancement can be successfully integrated into diplomacy. Former Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan warned of the dangers nationalism poses to geopolitical stability, while innovation experts Daniela Caserotto-Leibert and Emilia Pasquier emphasized the importance of trust and collaboration in innovation ecosystems. “The event demonstrated how essential it is to integrate ethics and diversity into diplomacy to shape a sustainable future,” said DWIH Director Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori.
Participants in the program on the topic of „Health Innovation“
New Ideas for Social Justice
Technological innovations in healthcare and energy can improve lives and advance social justice. While digital health solutions revolutionize access to care and sustainable energy technologies reduce CO₂ emissions, a central question remains: how can these advances benefit everyone, regardless of social or economic background? Fifteen early-career German researchers from various disciplines sought answers through two programs conducted in partnership with CITRIS – the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society at the University of California. In March 2024, eight participants focused on Health Innovation, while seven in fall 2024 tackled Climate Innovation. Through expert exchanges and interactive workshops, they explored how their research could be transformed into innovations that center social justice.
Collaborating for a Green Future
Potatoes and hops grow in the soil while solar panels cover the roofs above — this dual-use approach is called agrivoltaics, which allows for both agriculture and renewable energy production on the same land. A transatlantic partnership holds immense potential: German research institutions are global leaders in solar technology, while California boasts vast, economically valuable farmland. How to deepen such collaboration was the focus of the Second California-Germany Agrivoltaics Conference in November 2024 at UC Davis, organized by the German American Chambers of Commerce (AHK) with support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and companies like Solar4America and Sunzaun. More than 200 participants discussed key issues of transatlantic cooperation in this field. “We see events like this as very important and gladly support them by expanding the network and promoting knowledge exchange,” explained DWIH Director Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori.
Professor Mira Mezini (2nd from right) with participants of the event “Beyond Generative AI: Innovative Germany Seminar”
Insights into Germany as an Innovation Hub
Germany is one of the world’s leading research locations. With more than 400 universities, its scientific output is outstanding — especially in future-oriented fields like artificial intelligence, where German institutions rank among the global best. At the Beyond Generative AI: Innovative Germany Seminar hosted by DWIH San Francisco in early November 2024, participants gained insight into the structure of Germany’s innovation landscape and its research support mechanisms. Professors Mira Mezini (TU Darmstadt) and Sören Auer (Leibniz University Hannover) gave engaging talks on research, development, and innovation in Germany. They showcased funding opportunities and how basic research, applied research, and industrial development are closely intertwined. Both professors collaborate in AI clusters and networks with other universities, research institutes, and industry partners and shared practical examples of the advantages of these partnerships. Attendees then had the opportunity to network with representatives from German innovation and excellence clusters.
DWIH San Francisco 2024 in Numbers
In 2024, the DWIH San Francisco organized or supported a total of 14 events.
In addition to public events, a comprehensive policy report was published: “Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education. A Comparative Study of Silicon Valley and Germany.”
The DWIH San Francisco places a strong emphasis on supporting young entrepreneurs. For example, 15 talented individuals from Germany participated in the CITRIS Health Innovation Intensive Program.
Particular importance is given to the promotion of female entrepreneurs. In collaboration with the GUILD Academy, the DWIH San Francisco designed the “GUILD Women in Entrepreneurship” program, which reached 100 participants.
SPOTLIGHT
From Research Lab to Start-up
At U.S. universities, research and entrepreneurship are closely intertwined. A comprehensive study published in 2024 by DWIH San Francisco shows how German universities can also foster a stronger entrepreneurial spirit.
Laboratory work at BioNTech (Photo: BioNTech)
In 2008, in a modest office building near Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, an idea was born that would change the world twelve years later. Researchers Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci transformed their visionary approaches to immunotherapy into the company BioNTech. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the biotech firm developed a life-saving vaccine in record time with its U.S. partner Pfizer. BioNTech is one of the most well-known examples of a successful start-up emerging from a German university — but it remains a rare case.
Although German universities enjoy a strong international reputation for research and teaching — with five universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025 Top 100 — there is evidence that they lag behind globally when it comes to successful start-up creation. Given their scientific output, the number of spin-offs remains relatively low.
Valuable Insights for German Universities
How can German universities better support innovation and spin-offs? What distinguishes innovation ecosystems in Germany from those in Silicon Valley and other IP-intensive economies like Israel and Singapore? And what lessons can Germany learn from them? These questions are addressed in the study “Fostering Entrepreneurship in Higher Education: A Comparative Study of Silicon Valley and Germany,” commissioned by DWIH San Francisco and published in 2024. The report was prepared by the consulting and research firm Cambrian Futures. “Our goal was to provide actionable policy recommendations — supported by best practice examples from Silicon Valley,” said DWIH Director Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori. “This approach can offer German universities valuable impulses for successful spin-offs.”
Our goal was to provide actionable policy recommendations .
Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori,
Director of DWIH San Francisco
The study focuses on five key factors for successful academic spin-offs: protection of intellectual property (IP), organizational networks, talent development, innovation culture, and financing.
One key difference lies in how IP is utilized. In the U.S., the Bayh-Dole Act encourages universities to actively commercialize patents. In Germany, there is no equivalent incentive. Patents often go unfiled or unused due to a lack of resources and networks. The study recommends more streamlined and targeted patent support, including centralized advisory systems for universities.
Technology Transfer: More Connectivity Needed
In the U.S., Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) are responsible for commercializing university inventions. While similar offices exist in Germany, they operate with far fewer resources and influence. As a result, valuable innovations often never reach the market. The study calls for closer integration between German TTOs and international networks, as well as more exchange programs with U.S. universities.
Retaining Talent and Attracting Founders
Talent drain is a major obstacle. Many promising graduates and researchers leave Germany to pursue their ideas abroad, particularly in the U.S. At the same time, German universities attract too few international talents. The study suggests increasing the number of English-language degree programs and positioning Germany as an appealing destination for international start-up founders.
We promote the exchange of best practices.
Dr Zahar Barth-Manzoori,
Director of DWIH San Francisco
In addition to structural challenges, cultural differences pose one of the biggest hurdles. In California, failure is seen as part of the learning process; in Germany, a risk-averse mentality prevails. The study recommends embedding entrepreneurship more deeply into education through practice-based programs and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Investments: Mobilizing Private Capital
Funding is another challenge. U.S. universities have strong ties to venture capital and often involve alumni as investors. German universities rely more on public funding. The study recommends encouraging private investment through university venture funds and alumni networks focused on business participation.
Support from DWIH San Francisco
“The study makes one thing clear: Germany doesn’t need to become a second Silicon Valley,” Barth-Manzoori concluded. Germany has strong potential to improve tech transfer from universities into successful start-ups. Adjustments such as better patent utilization, stronger science-industry networks, improved conditions for talent, and a more entrepreneurial mindset could significantly boost innovation. “This is where DWIH San Francisco steps in. We connect German and U.S. innovation stakeholders, bring start-ups together with international experts, and promote the exchange of best practices.”
The study is available at this link: DWIH-Full-Report-v2-Print.pdf
Clara Krug
DWIH New Delhi
STATEMENT
“Successful contribution to Indo-German cooperation”
Dr Katja Lasch, Director of DWIH New Delhi
We succeeded in facilitating productive exchanges between Indian and German funding institutions.
Dr Katja Lasch,
Director of DWIH New Delhi
“In 2024, Germany and India celebrated 50 years of cooperation in science and technology (WTZ)—an anniversary that was reflected in many aspects of the DWIH New Delhi’s activities. DWIH New Delhi’s successful contribution in shaping Indo-German cooperation was particularly evident in the systematic networking within the fields of science and innovation. We succeeded in facilitating productive exchanges between Indian and German funding institutions through workshops and delegation visits, and in advancing collaboration among relevant incubators, stakeholders, and institutions in the field of science-based entrepreneurship—making these efforts visible even at the policy level. The organisational, substantive, and advisory contribution from our office has clearly strengthened DWIH New Delhi’s standing in policy circles in both the countries. Thanks to these achievements, we were able to sign a joint declaration of interest on future cooperation in the field with the Indian side, which also includes the prospect of co-financing programmes.”
IN FOCUS
The Work of DWIH New Delhi in 2024
In 2024 as well, the DWIH New Delhi successfully connected innovation drivers from Germany and India. The organization's valuable experience in science-based entrepreneurship and strengthening the start-up culture proved particularly beneficial, given the long-standing Indo-German cooperation in science and technology.
DAAD President Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee (on the right) exchanging Joint Declaration of Interest for cooperation on science-based entrepreneurship with Secretary of Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Abhay Karandikar (on the left)
Milestone: Joint Declaration of Intent
At the end of October 2024, the DWIH New Delhi and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Indian government’s Ministry of Science and Technology signed a joint declaration of intent as part of the Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations in New Delhi. This expands the Indo-German partnership and cooperation at the level of higher education and research institutions to include the field of science-based entrepreneurship. New joint programmes aim to specifically promote knowledge exchange among policymakers, incubators, and deep-tech start-ups. The desire to initiate an Indo-German innovation and incubation exchange programme was also included in the final joint statement of the government consultations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Participants of Incubators Connect 2.0
Entrepreneurship Programme on Track for Success
In 2024, the DWIH New Delhi drove forward its strategy of systematically connecting incubators at higher education and research institutions with their affiliated start-ups through a series of events. One example was the increased interest from both Germany and India in the Innovators Connect – Tandem format, an annual two-week immersion and networking programme for entrepreneurs and young researchers. Further, the Incubators Connect 2.0 programme brought 18 innovation centres from Germany to India, where they engaged in structured exchange on entrepreneurship with 60 Indian stakeholders and institutionswith a focus on deep-tech start-ups and innovation. Cross-cutting themes at both events consistently included the application of artificial intelligence (AI), for example, in the field of public healthcare.
Indo-German Research Day
For the third time, the Indo-German Research Day proved to be a great success. The online format, designed to explore the Indian and German research landscapes, is aimed at an interdisciplinary audience interested in collaboration and funding opportunities for greater mobility in Indo-German research projects, and expansion of their networks. Many supporters of the DWIH New Delhi actively participated in the 2024 edition, and more than 20 research institutions, universities, and funding organisations actively participated in the event. In addition to panel discussions, around 20 sessions offered the approximately 370 participants numerous opportunities to deepen bilateral research collaboration.
Participants from India and Germany at the Start-up BW Summit 2024 in Stuttgart
Increased Visibility in Germany
Rostock, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, Dresden, Cologne—in summer 2024, the DWIH New Delhi had a strong presence at German universities in these cities. The visits featured numerous workshops and events, such as Incubators (Re)Connect 2.0 at the University of Stuttgart, with the primary aim of raising awareness of India’s higher education and research landscape and identifying potential areas for collaboration. From the German institutions, interest in participating in networking activities was particularly high in 2024—also in light of the 50th anniversary of Indo-German cooperation in science and technology.
In autumn 2024, the DWIH New Delhi travelled to Germany once again—this time with a high-level delegation of ten Indian funding organisations and intermediary institutions, jointly organised with the DAAD Regional Office New Delhi. The delegation included representatives from institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). They visited German universities including the University of Bonn and TU Berlin. At the same time, engaging workshops were held with participation of German higher education and research institutions such as the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Helmholtz Association, the DLR Project Management Agency, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), as well as the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA).
DWIH New Delhi 2024 in Numbers
participants took part in the DWIH New Delhi organised events.
speakers shared their expertise at events hosted by DWIH New Delhi and its partners.
innovation centers and incubators from India and Germany were connected through two workshops as part of the “Incubators Connect” programme.
percent growth from 2023 to 2024 in
DWIH New Delhi’s LinkedIn followers
SPOTLIGHT
New Momentum for Indo-German Cooperation
The DWIH New Delhi has excellent contacts within the Indian innovation ecosystem. Given India’s increasing significance as a global player, the effort of DWIH to foster networks between Germany and its South Asian partner are becoming increasingly important.
Head of Programmes Aadishree Jamkhedkar at the
DWIH Network Day 2024 in Berlin
In 2024, the strategic partnership between Germany and India—the world’s fifth-largest economy— was particularly in focus for the German Federal Government. The official cooperation in the field of science and technology (WTZ) marked its 50th anniversary, and the Federal Cabinet adopted the “Focus on India” strategy to further strengthen bilateral relations. “For the DWIH New Delhi, this presented an opportunity to increase India’s visibility within the German scientific community this year,” said Dr Katja Lasch, Director of DWIH New Delhi. “India’s research capabilities in specific areas are impressive, and there is huge interest on the Indian side in Indo-German research cooperation.”
For the DWIH New Delhi, 2024 was a year of significantly more activities in Germany than in previous years. “There was a very good opportunity to mobilise German interest in the Indian science-based start-up scene and innovation landscape, and to engage key stakeholders in research funding,” explained Dr Katja Lasch. “We took a 360-degree perspective to explore Indo-German engagement in teaching, research, and transfer.”
In two programmes, the DWIH New Delhi presented its own work, the research landscape of India and developments in India’s higher education and research policy. The aim was to draw the attention of German higher education institutions to the international dimension of research, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and research spin-offs—at events such as the DAAD Network Conference 2024 in Bonn at the end of June, or at a roundtable of Saxon universities in Dresden, organised by the Saxon State Ministry for Science, Culture and Tourism (SMWK).
Systematic Networking for Research and Transfer
We have worked very consciously to connect the overarching networks of funding institutions in both countries.
Dr Katja Lasch,
Director of DWIH New Delhi
The summer business trip also included visits to the DWIH New Delhi’s Supporters and to numerous universities, to present India’s higher education and research landscape. A second trip in September brought a delegation of high-level representatives from Indian intermediary organisations and research funding bodies to Bonn and Berlin, where they engaged with German institutions in workshops and events—for example, at an Indo-German networking event on international research cooperation in Bonn. “We have worked very consciously over the long term to connect the overarching networks of funding institutions in both countries and to bring them into a productive exchange,” emphasised Dr Katja Lasch. “The successful meetings in Germany and the lively discussion about the opportunities and challenges of cooperation once again showed that our systematic approach is paying off.”
In 2024, the focus on the overall research landscape and the far-reaching structures of research funding also bore fruit—this time in the other direction, from Germany to India. In February, a delegation of German incubators and innovation centres travelled to India to present the German innovation and start-up ecosystem as part of the DWIH event Incubators Connect 2.0. “The delegation represented a total of 18 German institutions, and we organised an open exchange format on funding strategies and opportunities to deepen Indo-German cooperation,” said Aadishree Jamkhedkar, Head of Programmes at the DWIH New Delhi. The Innovators Connect – Tandem format was further developed. For the first time, the programme was held at three locations in India, jointly with twelve incubators from India and Germany, and with 15 participants from each country.. The strong interest from Germany was noteworthy, with more than 70 applications for the programme—the majority of them from doctoral researchers.
Visibility at the Policy Level
The 50th anniversary of Indo-German cooperation in science and technology also brought significantly more visibility for the DWIH New Delhi at the policy level. The deepening of research and science cooperation was one of the key topics at the seventh Indo-German Intergovernmental Consultations, held in New Delhi at the end of October 2024. For the DWIH New Delhi, this culminated in the signing of a joint declaration of intent for cooperation in entrepreneurship with the Department of Science and Technology—a major achievement, according to Dr Katja Lasch: “We’ve worked towards this goal for a long time: to establish the topic at the political level as well. Both governments are now aiming for a programme in the field of science-based entrepreneurship, and the DWIH New Delhi is recognised in India as the key partner for this.”
With its activities in 2024, the DWIH New Delhi significantly expanded its network in the field of science-based entrepreneurship. “This remains an important topic for us,” said Aadishree Jamkhedkar. “We have strategically further developed our event formats in this area and also integrated the annual focus topic of Artificial Intelligence into the content.” Looking ahead, the DWIH New Delhi will continue to adhere to its approach of strategically developing long-term networks, with a view to the next anniversary: 25 years of strategic partnership between Germany and India in 2025.
Bettina Mittelstraß
DWIH Tokyo
STATEMENT
“Japan is a key partner to Germany in Asia”
Axel Karpenstein, Director of DWIH Tokyo
Interest in collaboration has grown significantly.
Axel Karpenstein,
Director of DWIH Tokyo
“Japan is a key partner to Germany in Asia – especially in research and innovation. 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the Agreement between Japan and Germany on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology, underlining the longstanding tradition of collaboration between our two countries. What is more, interest in collaboration has grown significantly on both sides in recent years. Whether in science, business or politics – together we are strong partners in tackling the urgent issues of the day: from climate action, health and digital transformation to sustainable energy and demographic change. By joining forces, we can ensure that Germany and Japan remain at the forefront of global innovation.”
IN FOCUS
The work of DWIH Tokyo in 2024
Artificial intelligence, AgriTech, and 30 years of Tokyo–Berlin partnership: 2024 was a busy and successful year for DWIH Tokyo. Start-ups were among those who benefited.
The DWIH team led by Director Axel Karpenstein (left) hosted numerous events in 2024.
Humans and machines – a growing relationship
What happens when people and machines interact? Can a genuine relationship develop? And how will our connection with technology evolve in the future? These were some of the questions explored at “Relationship in Human-Machine Interaction”, an event organised by DWIH Tokyo and the German Research Foundation (DFG) in March 2024. Leading researchers shared insights into how people can form bonds with robots, avatars and devices. “What made the event so compelling was the broad mix of perspectives,” said Axel Karpenstein, Director of DWIH Tokyo. “It showed just how differently AI is seen from the point of view of social psychology, media, computing and engineering.” The event underscored how AI not only enhances communication but also plays a crucial role in combating loneliness, while transforming the way we work and live.
www.dwih-tokyo.org/en/event/relationship-in-human-machine-interaction/
Panel discussion at the TechBIZKON start-up event
Cutting-edge tech from Japan and Europe
The eighth edition of TechBIZKON focused on “AgriTech & FoodTech: Harvesting Innovation. DWIH Tokyo helped organise the event, which brought together more than 30 tech start-ups from Belgium, Germany, Austria and Japan, along with investors, companies and public bodies. “There was a panel featuring voices from industry and the private sector,” said Dr Markus Heckel, who is DWIH Tokyo’s Head of Programs. “But it’s also a great platform for German start-ups – they get to pitch their ideas and make contacts to facilitate entry into the Japanese market.” Heckel says the aim is to promote links between Japanese and German or European ecosystems in innovation, research and business. “It has led to longstanding partnerships between German and Japanese firms and institutions that are still going strong today.”
TechBIZKON VIII: Harvesting Innovation – AgriTech & FoodTech from Europe and Japan | DWIH Tokyo
Virtual event – spotlight on Germany
After the success of the 2023 German Research Fair, the 2024 edition attracted even more visitors. Over 400 participants from across Japan joined the online event to learn about research in Germany. Thirty higher education institutions and research institutes presented their work. Led by the DWIH, they offered information on doctoral and postdoc opportunities, scholarships and funding programmes. “It’s a great way for students and researchers to meet representatives from across Germany’s research landscape,” said Dr Markus Heckel. “The strong turnout reflects growing interest in Germany as a research destination.”
At the AsiaBerlin Summit in Tokyo
Networking for start-ups
Tokyo and Berlin have been partner cities for 30 years. To mark the occasion, the AsiaBerlin Summit – a networking event connecting Berlin start-ups with Asian markets – was hosted in Tokyo for the first time in May 2024 instead of Berlin. DWIH Tokyo co-organised side events at selected venues. A few days earlier in Kyoto, a “Deeptech and Hardware Ecosystem Meetup” brought together start-ups and venture capital firms to share ideas for the future.
www.dwih-tokyo.org/en/event/asiaberlin-summit-in-tokyo-the-next-smart-society/
www.dwih-tokyo.org/de/event/berlin-meets-kyoto-deeptech-hardware-ecosystem-meetup/
Women’s health takes centre stage
Over 4,000 visitors attended Femtech Fes! in February 2024 – Asia’s biggest trade fair focused on women’s health. At a lunchtime talk organised by DWIH, the founders of German start-up theblood and the developer of Cyscover® met key contacts from science and industry in Japan. “Like Germany, Japan still doesn’t have enough women founders,” said Axel Karpenstein. “So, it’s particularly inspiring to see so many creative and forward-thinking ideas from women entrepreneurs.”
Visit by a delegation from Saxony-Anhalt to DWIH Tokyo
Delegations visits to Japan
The growing importance of DWIH Tokyo and the broadening interest in Japan was clear to see in 2024, with DWIH Tokyo welcoming delegations from five of the German federal states: academics, business representatives and policymakers from Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia explored opportunities for institutionalised cooperation.
DWIH Tokyo 2024 in Numbers
events were organised by DWIH Tokyo in 2024.
partner organisations now make up the DWIH support network. Talks with further potential partners are ongoing.
DWIH Tokyo now has more than 2,800 followers on LinkedIn.
DWIH Tokyo welcomed 20 delegations from science, politics and industry in 2024.
SPOTLIGHT
AI – ethical challenges, huge potential
The trilateral conferences on AI have become a flagship format in DWIH Tokyo’s work. Shared challenges and fresh thinking make the exchange between Germany, France and Japan especially valuable.
Participants in the trilateral conference ‘Generative AI: Pathways to Democratization, Transparency and Sustainability’
What is generative AI really capable of – and how do Germany, France and Japan tackle the urgent issues of transparency, democracy and sustainability? These were the key questions at “Generative AI: Pathways to Democratization, Transparency and Sustainability”, a two-day trilateral conference which took place on 12–13 November 2024. Held every two years since 2018, the AI conference even went ahead during the pandemic in 2020 — “on that occasion in a virtual and fully immersive setting that turned out to be a great alternative to meeting in person,” says Axel Karpenstein, Director of DWIH Tokyo. Having attracted some 1,000 participants to date, it has become a mainstay of DWIH Tokyo’s programme.
Meaningful connections
Much has changed in AI since the last symposium in 2022. Tools like ChatGPT are now part of everyday life – both at work and at home. But when it comes to developing AI and using it in a professional context, the three countries involved in the trilateral conference face some unique challenges. “Germany, France and Japan don’t have the same data resources as AI giants such as the US and China,” says Karpenstein. “But if we pool our efforts – in areas such as training AI in medicine, for instance – we can make a real difference.”
Extensive networking is a key strength of the DWIH’s work.
Dr Markus Heckel,
Head of Programs at DWIH Tokyo
The 2024 conference showed how vital international cooperation is in driving forward the development of AI – while at the same time addressing the serious ethical questions it raises.
“Experts from very different fields came together and still managed to find common ground – that was really fascinating,” said Dr Markus Heckel, Head of Programs at DWIH Tokyo. The conference was attended by experts in the fields of IT and natural sciences as well as social sciences and the humanities. “Extensive networking is a key strength of the DWIH’s work – we connect countries, link academia with industry, and bring together a wide range of disciplines.”
Making GenAI work for everyone
Chaired by Dr Yasuhiro Katagiri, Director of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the plenary session took on the topic of “Democratising GenAI”. Here, participants explored how generative AI can be made more inclusive and accessible. Both technical and ethical issues were on the agenda, and it was stressed that safeguards needed to be carefully reviewed so as to ensure that the benefits of GenAI reach the wider public.
The plenary session on “Transparency in GenAI” was chaired by Dr Anton Zimmermann, head of an Emmy Noether research group at Heidelberg University. The focus here was on the challenges posed by bias and opaque decision-making processes in generative AI. Participants discussed how GenAI could become more trustworthy and reliable – and who should be held accountable in cases of harm or misuse.
Professor Andreas Dengel, Executive Director of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), talked about the potential of GenAI in medical diagnostics, while at the same time highlighting its ethical limits. He gave the example of AI being helpful in early detection of skin cancer, but still falling short when it comes to more complex tasks such as context mapping. The DFKI has been conducting AI research for over 35 years – always with a focus on how it can benefit people. The DFKI is one of the 29 partner organisations that support DWIH Tokyo and runs a research lab based at Osaka Metropolitan University (DFKI Lab Japan).
Participants of the round table discussions presented their key takeaways at the recap session moderated by Sabine Schenk of the Heidelberg University Office Kyoto. One of the key conclusions to emerge was that if results can’t be reproduced, there is no real sustainability. The conference was wrapped up by Dr Jean-Baptiste Bordes, Science Attaché at the French Embassy. He emphasised the strong consensus among participants around both the opportunities offered by GenAI and the paths towards responsible use. There was broad agreement on one key takeaway in particular: the only way forward is together.
Sarah Kanning
Imprint
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Photo credits: Federal Foreign Office, BioNTech, Christoph Mukherjee/Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, DAAD, DAAD/Nathan Dreesen, DAAD/Stefan Zeitz Photography, DWIH/Barak Shrama, DWIH New Delhi, DWIH New York, DWIH New York/Sebastian Marin, DWIH San Francisco, DWIH São Paulo, DWIH Tokyo