News

Toru Kumagai’s report on R&D trends in Germany

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development and Ethics: Seeking Human-Centric AI at a French-German-Japanese Symposium

March 19, 2021 [by Toru Kumagai] Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most keenly watched areas of cutting-edge technology in academia, industry, and government worldwide. Basic forms of AI have already been applied in many different fields—from the financial sector to social media and even online stores. AI is predicted to see further developments in the future, bringing significant benefits to humanity in a wide range of areas including manufacturing and medicine. However, there is a danger that if AI became autonomous to an excessive degree, the pursuit of economic benefits and efficiency might neglect ethics and human rights. In other words, humans need to constantly keep a firm rein on machines.

Call: BMBF, Saxony

Ideas competition “Science Creating Prospects for the Region”

[Deadline: 2021/4/30] The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the State of Saxony are organising an ideas competition to select concepts for two new large-scale research centres in the state. The best proposals will be considered further during a six-month conceptual phase and will receive funding of up to €500,000.

Science and innovation in Germany

Toru Kumagai’s reports on R&D trends in Germany

March 15, 2021 In collaboration with Mr. Toru Kumagai, a Japanese journalist living in Germany, we bring you the latest news on science and innovation in Germany. The previous articles are available below:

News

EFI Commission presents Annual Report on German Research and Innovation

March 12, 2021 The Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), which advises the German Federal Government on Research and Innovation Policy, has presented the 2021 Annual Report.

Toru Kumagai’s report on R&D trends in Germany

Strengthening Post-Corona Resilience — Germany and Japan’s Efforts to Prepare for a New Global Crisis

March 2, 2021 [by Toru Kumagai] The new coronavirus (COVID-19) surge shows no sign of abating. On January 7, 2021, when this article was written, the number of new infections had skyrocketed in both Germany and Japan. Germany sees at least 10,000 newly infected people each day, sometimes surpassing 20,000 cases. On November 3, the government prohibited all restaurants and food services from operating, followed by tighter lockdown measures including closures of schools and most shops from December 16 until the end of January 2021. Meanwhile in Japan, Tokyo and three surrounding prefectures have declared a state of emergency with a month-long voluntary ban starting January 7.

Webtalk

DWIH Coffee Talk: The latest in research and innovation from Germany and Japan

The DWIH Coffee Talk is a series of one-hour web talks in which experts from Japan and Germany discuss in a relaxed atmosphere important topics related to the fields of innovation and research in both countries.

Toru Kumagai’s report on R&D trends in Germany

German and Japanese Electric Power Industries Embark on the Practical Applications of Hydrogen Energy

February 25, 2021 [by Toru Kumagai] The Federal Government of Germany published its national hydrogen energy strategy in June 2020, revealing that hydrogen will be one of the pillars for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, as reported in the first article of this series. Research institutes and electric power companies in Germany as well as in Japan are currently propelling projects for the practical use of hydrogen energy.