05/12/2024
Researchers, students and start-ups kick-off the brand-new | Last week, we celebrated the launch of our new Expert Hub focusing on innovation in the field of and . Our sixth Expert Hub aims to nourish interdisciplinary exchange between students, researchers interested in entrepreneurship, as well as start-ups, well-established companies and further relevant stakeholders in the field.
The event was opened by Prof. Peter Letmathe, who welcomed the guests and encouraged the diverse audience to use the opportunity to talk to experts, ask questions, and discuss possible solutions.
In the first keynote of the day, Prof. Max Lemme (ELD, RWTH Aachen University) took the participants on a deep dive into the origins of the Expert Hub in the NeuroSys Cluster and the impact of the Cluster4Future on the Aachen region. Michael Riesener, Roberta Caterino and Tobias Recker then continued with a brief overview of how RWTH Innovation facilitates at RWTH Aachen University, before elaborating on the structure and function of the new Expert Hub NeuroSys. Next, Mareike Smolka and Frieder Bögner (Human Technology Center) held an interactive session on socio-ethical perspectives on neuromorphic computing research and technology development, asking thought-provoking questions and sharing their insights on this highly debated topic.
In the second part of the event, Jasmin Quill and Lennart Stoepel (Chair of Management Accounting), walked the audience through value chains of the semiconductor industry and their implications for neuromorphic hardware. A completely different perspective was added by Dr. Ansgar Schleicher (TechVision Fonds), who looked at challenges and opportunities of AI hardware through an investor's eyes. Last but not least, Dr. Felix Gremse (Gremse IT), invited the participants to explore f(o)unding opportunities for SMEs, specifically focusing on IT businesses.
The program was wrapped up by a panel discussion with Dr. Sebastian Dreßen (Siemens), Dr. Joseph Pankert (Pankert Consultants) and Dr. Florian Merget (aiXscale Photonics), who answered questions by Sabine Kaiser on the role of start-ups in the transfer of AI-based solutions.
After the program, the speakers and participants stayed for an insightful networking session, exhibits by Stadt Aachen, AGIT MbH and KI NRW, as well as poster presentations by AiML Technology, Rewafe, Stadt Aachen Wirtschaftsförderung, EDIH Rheinland, Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Neuroelectronic Interfaces Research Group, the Chair of Integrated Digital Systems and Circuit Design, the Institute for Materials in Electrical Engineering 1.
A huge thank you to all speakers, presenters, exhibitors, and participants for joining us in fostering and collaborating on in neuromorphic computing and AI hardware!
