Jena Digital Innovation Hub officially opened

The Jena Digital Innovation Hub (JEDI) was officially opened today, Monday, in the Post-Carré (Engelplatz 8) in the heart of Jena's city center. Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche and numerous guests, including representatives from business, science and culture, gave the starting signal for the new anchor location called "JEDI". It is intended to be a place for creativity and progress around the topics of digitalization, sustainability and the city of the future. All interested parties are cordially invited to the free program of the opening week, which runs until Friday. The program includes workshops, regulars' table formats and discussion rounds.

The Digital Innovation Hub is operated by Jena Digital e. V. and the city of Jena via the Smart City model project (funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction). This creates a new hub as a contact point and platform for communication and collaboration between various stakeholders from business, science, administration and urban society. A great deal of emphasis was placed on creating a versatile space: In addition to an integrated showroom concept in which digital solutions are presented, the multifunctional area serves as an inspiring creative space for events, exchange, discussion as well as training and workshops to strengthen digital skills.

In addition to a varied programme, the urban community can also expect exhibits on the topics of artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, semiconductor technology and digital energy concepts, which can be discovered in the new anchor location for digitalization. All citizens are cordially invited to take part in the weekly program, discover digital trends and shape the digital future together.

Statements from the participants

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche:

"The digital economy in Jena in particular is participating here in order to jointly advance the digital location and make digital knowledge from business and science even more available for the city of the future. The "Digital Innovation Hub" serves as a joint communication and collaboration platform for business, science, administration and urban society."

Head of Digitalization Benjamin Koppe:

"With our comprehensive approach to developing a smart city, we are sending out a clear signal: The citizens in our city should benefit from the digital transformation, which is why we want to develop needs-oriented, digital solutions together with the experts in our city at this new anchor location."

Overall project manager of Smart City Jena, Dorothea Prell:

"The Jena Digital Innovation Hub is an important step towards smart and sustainable urban development. Innovative ideas and technologies can be developed here that will make our city even more liveable."

Christian Grötsch, Board Member of Jena Digital e. V. and Chairman of the Board of Directors of dotSource SE:

"With the Jena Digital Innovation Hub, we are creating a central platform for exchange and collaboration between business, science and society. Our aim is to position Jena as a pioneer for digital innovation and to develop sustainable solutions for the future."

Hans Elstner, Chairman of Jena Digital e. V. and rooom AG:

"Here we are creating a communication and cooperation platform for business and an important contact point for start-ups to discuss the latest trends and developments in the field of digitalization and make valuable contacts. We are delighted to be part of this forward-looking project and to be driving forward the digital transformation as an association for the digital economy and science."

Stephanie Hänsch, Board Member of Jena Digital e. V. and Managing Director at Accenture GmbH:

"The Jena Digital Innovation Hub will be a neutral platform for skilled workers and the experts of tomorrow. Especially during Code Week Thuringia/Jena, we are sending a strong signal about the importance of digital education. In addition, practical modules as collaborations between companies and students offer hands-on learning experiences and promote knowledge transfer at the same time."

Wilfried Röpke, business promoter and board member of Jena Digital e. V.:

"The new hub plays a crucial role in the success of the digital and innovation location by pooling resources, creating synergies and increasing the visibility of digital experts."

Manuela Meyer, Digitalization Officer for the ZEISS high-tech location Jena and Board Member Jena Digital:

"As a founding partner of Jena Digital, we are delighted to be making a committed contribution to networking and promoting the digital economy in our start-up location of Jena. Jena Digital lies at the intersection of three important ZEISS drivers: We are advancing the digital transformation of the economy with technologies, data expertise and solutions. This is also illustrated by our exhibit in the new Jena Digital Innovation Hub. In the field of semiconductor technology, ZEISS develops solutions that enable chip manufacturers around the world to produce ever more powerful and energy-efficient microchips. ZEISS has thus become the heartbeat of digitalization and continues to drive it forward."

Program highlights:

Tuesday, 13.08.2024
Digi:TALK on the topic of "Smart & Sustainable Spaces"

• Data as the key to a connected future for smart cities, smart mobility, smart living and smart society
• Digital revolution for a sustainable future: how technologies are driving change
• "Language models and artificial intelligence: key technologies for the smart city of the future"

Wednesday, 14.08.2024
Software architecture get-together meets Jena.AI - the developer get-together for artificial intelligence from 6 pm

• Artificial intelligence - trends, ZEISS, and two DeepDives
• Theory meets reality - How to develop secure web applications?
• Security review of software architectures

Thursday, 15.08.2024

• Summer Summ_IT: Panel talks on the following topics
• Advantage through algorithms: How AI is redefining corporate competition"
• "From Thuringia to the world: Cosmopolitanism as a driver of digital transformation?

Friday, 16.08.2024
Code Week 2024 - WarmUp: Presentation and workshops for children and young people on Lego Spike and artificial intelligence, among other things

About Jena Digital e. V.:

Jena Digital is the innovation network for digital business & science in Jena. As a joint communication and cooperation platform with around 40 members, Jena Digital offers important conditions for networking, knowledge transfer and innovation with the aim of establishing Jena as a beacon for the digital economy and science in Germany.