Funded by the European Social Fund and the BMAS, the Hubs for Tomorrow were launched nationwide in 2023 to provide SMEs with guidance and training on digitalisation and AI applications.
Name in original language
Zukunftszentren
Initiative overview
By means of needs-based knowledge acquisition and transfer as well as the development and testing of innovative learning approaches, SMEs and their employees as well as self-employed persons are supported in their competence to shape change. As part of the so-called AI introductory module, SMEs are supported in introducing human-centred AI-based systems in a participatory and co-creative manner together with their employees.The rapidly advancing digitalisation creates new opportunities and growth prospects for businesses. Artificial intelligence (AI) and learning systems are introduced increasingly in the workplace, but the implementation processes are neither iterative nor linear. Technological advancements revise jobs on a task-level and thereby also associated competences and qualification profiles. Especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their employees require advice on matters regarding the digitally driven evolution of the world of work. The hubs for tomorrow are based on this idea. In 2019 in each eastern German state, one regional hub for tomorrow has been established as part of the ESF program. As part of the federal programme, several regional hubs for tomorrow in the western German Lander and Berlin are being funded since April 2021. A pan-German hubs for tomorrow funding program with 13 projects and one coordinating hub started in January 2023.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS; Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales)
