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Vienna opens up a new future: AI Innovation Factory strengthens the economy!
Microsoft Austria opens the "AI Innovation Factory" in Vienna to promote AI innovation and optimization for companies.
Vienna opens up a new future: AI Innovation Factory strengthens the economy!
In a groundbreaking initiative, Microsoft Austria launched the “AI Innovation Factory” in Vienna in cooperation with various partners. This innovative facility aims to support companies in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and to optimally exploit its potential. At the opening on March 12, 2025, members from business, including Hermann Erlach from Microsoft and Hannes A. Schwetz from Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws), emphasized the transformative power of AI for the economy. Erlach explained that this initiative provides a central hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration to help companies position themselves for success in the digital age.
The AI Innovation Factory is operated as part of the Austria-wide digitalization offensive “Make This Tomorrow Possible”. It combines a physical space for workshops, training and networking with a targeted program to support AI implementation. Mariana Kühnel, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ), described the approval of this EU-funded project as a crucial step in strengthening the Austrian AI ecosystem. With an investment volume of 150 million euros, the AI Factory is intended to create a platform for applied research and commercial applications of AI. This sets the course for Austria to position itself as an international hotspot for AI innovation, as stated by ots.at reported.
Increasing innovation and competitiveness
The project aims to accelerate the digital transformation in Austria and advance the transfer of knowledge from research to business. Schwetz underlined the need to build trust in AI technologies in order to realize their full potential. In addition to workshops on the practical application of AI, the AI Innovation Factory's offering also includes initiatives for networking companies and research institutions. Erlach emphasized that AI is a key technology for Austria's future competitiveness by enabling new solutions and business models. The development of such an infrastructure is seen as fundamental for the development of value creation potential, which, according to a study by the Economica economic institute, could increase value creation in Austria by up to 18 percent, which corresponds to the output volume of the federal states of Vienna and Styria leadersnet.at reported.