Fascinating AI on display at German Unity Day – with contributions from Bechtle

• Outstandingly positive feedback for Baden-Württemberg’s pavilion at the EinheitsEXPO
• Successful collaboration of Bechtle and AI start-up Colugo
• An estimated 50,000 visitors interact with AI-powered art installation

Allowing a close encounter with artificial intelligence, Baden-Württemberg’s pavilion is attracting crowds at the EinheitsEXPO in Potsdam. The installation, which is open to the public until 4 October, took centre stage at the opening of Germany’s 30th Unity Day celebrations. Baden-Württemberg uses the occasion to showcase its clout as a future-oriented and innovative German state, putting the limelight on the Cyber Valley initiative, Europe’s largest research consortium in the field of artificial intelligence. As the primary sponsor, Bechtle AG supports Colugo GmbH, a member of the Cyber Valley network of start-up companies, in providing technical equipment, as well as planning, organising and realising the installation.

The 30-day EinheitsExpo features displays from Germany’s federal states, constitutional bodies such as the houses of parliament and federal government, as well as other institutions. A digital eye-catcher, the cube put up by Baden-Württemberg is a can’t-miss object at the event. So far, the large video wall has captured the imagination of an estimated 50,000 people who took a moment to interact with the art installation called Grenzauflösung (roughly, dissolving borders) that allows humans to experience the creative process of artificial intelligence (AI) with their own eyes. 

“The visitors’ open, playful encounter with the technology of the future underpins our own experience of AI as something that is truly fascinating and becoming a natural part of our everyday lives. Transporting this fascination into companies and creating a successful future for our customers using AI is what we are about. Together with Colugo and their network within the Cyber Valley initiative, we are bridging the gap between AI research and business,” says Michael Guschlbauer, COO IT System House & Managed Services, Bechtle AG.

Doubling as the Lunar Ring group of artists, Colugo’s founding team explores AI as a creative means of expression. “People of all ages respond to digital art and the AI mechanisms that it brings to light with a mix of fascination and delight. We couldn’t have dreamed of the extremely positive feedback that we’re getting. The installation is a resounding success,” says Dr Johannes Stelzer, managing director of Colugo GmbH.

Their collaboration introduces Bechtle and Colugo as trailblazing organisations that embed AI into business. As one of the most crucial technologies of the future that also extends into other areas of society and culture, AI can help make business processes much more efficient, enable people to better understand correlations, and uncover all new solutions.

Neural networks interpret what’s happening outside the cube in real-time, translating it into an ever-morphing painting. Each snapshot represents an artificial reinterpretation of reality. The interaction is being live-streamed to AI information platform kreative-ki.de. Co-created by Bechtle, this website shines a light on the social and economic aspects of AI and will remain online beyond the end of the exhibition.

Cyber Valley brings excellence and responsibility in fundamental AI research in touch with its practical application in business. A beacon in Europe’s scientific AI landscape, it is one of the top AI research hubs in the world.

The highlight of the month-long event calendar will be a central celebration on 3 October—German Unity Day—with speeches by, among others, president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a series panel discussions and performances by popular musicians. The show will be broadcast on ARD.