The theme of Building Bridges 2025 is Artificial Intelligence (AI)—a field that is profoundly shaping the future of science, industry, and everyday life. AI is revolutionizing research across disciplines, from energy systems and healthcare to microelectronics, making it one of the most transformative technologies of our time.

By bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from Saxony, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states, especially Lithuania as our guest country, the conference will provide a platform for discussing cutting-edge AI developments, fostering new collaborations, and exploring the societal impact of AI-driven innovation.

Over the years, the Building Bridges conference has established itself as a platform of international relevance, enhancing the visibility of Saxony’s scientific excellence beyond national borders.

Following the success of the previous editions, the event continues to strengthen Saxony’s role as a bridge between research, politics, industry, and society. By fostering international collaboration, the conference enables interdisciplinary and cross-border exchange, paving the way for long-term partnerships.

In 2025, the conference will introduce the Archimedes Prize, awarded by the Free State of Saxony and coordinated by Dresden University of Technology, recognizing outstanding contributions to scientific progress with a prize of 50,000 Euros.

AI & Energy

Artificial intelligence is transforming the energy sector, making power systems smarter, cleaner, and more resilient. In Saxony (Germany), initiatives are linking energy and data networks to enable intelligent control of the grid and support a successful transition to renewable power.

In Poland, a major utility is implementing deep learning models to optimize its electricity distribution and boost the reliability of supply.

Similar efforts in the Czech Republic and Lithuania are deploying AI for smarter grid management and energy efficiency, illustrating how these regional innovations are powering a greener energy future for Europe and the world.

AI & Health

From hospitals to research labs, AI-driven solutions are enabling earlier diagnoses, personalized treatments, and more efficient care. Saxony’s thriving biomedical hub exemplifies this trend: the new BioAI Dresden program combines cutting-edge AI methods with biology to advance health science.

Poland is likewise investing heavily in digital health, establishing Regional Centers for Digital Medicine that apply AI and big data to patient care as part of a push to join the world’s leaders in digital medicine.

In the Czech Republic, innovators have developed an AI tool Carebot that can detect lung abnormalities in X-rays with higher accuracy than human radiologists​, showing the life-saving potential of AI-assisted diagnostics.

Lithuania’s health tech sector is also making its mark – for example, a Vilnius-based team created Europe’s first AI system approved to autonomously provide medical image reports without a radiologist. Together, these breakthroughs demonstrate how regional AI innovation in healthcare can improve lives globally, a compelling topic for experts and the public alike.

AI & Microelectronics

Advancements in microelectronics provide the backbone for AI progress, and this is a key focus across Saxony, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania.

Saxony’s “Silicon Saxony” is Europe’s largest microelectronics cluster, home to around 3,600 companies and 76,000 employees driving innovation in semiconductors and AI hardware.

Poland has emerged as a significant player in Europe’s semiconductor landscape, demonstrated by ambitious projects such as a planned 4.6 billion-dollar semiconductor integration and testing facility near Wrocław. While some global initiatives have experienced delays due to economic headwinds, Poland remains committed to expanding its microelectronics capabilities, solidifying its role in the region’s technological future.

In the Czech Republic, the establishment of the Advanced Chip Design Center in Brno, in collaboration with Taiwan, fosters joint research in chip design and cybersecurity.

Lithuania is also enhancing its semiconductor capabilities, with plans to establish a national semiconductor competence center supported by the European Chips Act. Collectively, these initiatives across the region are strengthening the microelectronics ecosystem, which is essential for the development of next-generation AI applications.

These efforts underscore why Building Bridges is an invaluable forum for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to connect, exchange insights, and forge collaborations that shape the future of AI innovation.

By bringing together leading experts from across Saxony, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania, the event provides a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge research, discuss emerging challenges, and shape the technological landscape of tomorrow.