The theme of Building Bridges 2025 was 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 has provided a platform for discussing cutting-edge AI developments, fostering new collaborations, and exploring the societal impact of AI-driven innovation.

For the first time, the conference has introduced the Archimedes Prize, awarded by the Free State of Saxony and coordinated by Dresden University of Technology. In 2025 Dr. Cordelia Schmid received the Archimedes Prize of 50,000 Euros for her outstanding contributions to scientific progress within artificial intelligence research.

The event was organised by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).

Science has always been a neutral mediator, adept at building bridges and transcending boundaries, whether they are geographical, political, or societal in nature. This spirit was epitomized by the 2023 “Building Bridges for the Next Generations” conference in Dresden. Building on this success, the Free State of Saxony aims to continue the fruitful dialogue that was sparked among international partners in Central Europe with a follow-up event: Building Bridges for a Net Zero Future.

Achieving Net Zero is a crucial objective because it holds the key to fostering sustainable economic growth and technological innovation. The strong infrastructure and connectivity in Central Europe, coupled with a rich history of scientific innovation, create an environment conducive to pioneering the transformative technologies and policies necessary to achieve Net Zero. The conference will thus focus on these key areas of research, that define the region of Central Europe:

• Microelectronics (Green IT)
• Sustainable Construction
• Hydrogen
• Fusion

The event was organised by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).

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As a neutral mediator, science has always been able to build bridges and cross borders – whether they are geographical, disciplinary or societal. In times like these, it is more important than ever to strengthen already existing connections among international partners in Central Europe and to build new alliances among the younger generations. That is why the Free State of Saxony initiated the international science conference Building Bridges for the Next Generations, which had been organized by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR).

In May 2023, scientists from Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and other Central and Eastern European countries came together and discussed how to solve urgent research questions especially in the areas of Health, Information Technology/AI and Energy & Climate. They had the opportunity to exchange ideas with international experts from public offices as well as partners from the industry and start-up scene.

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