Saxony’s IT industry is benefiting from the digitization push in large parts of the economy and society. Despite the current crises, companies are expecting further growth. Because digital solutions are in demand.
Plauen (dpa/sn) – Despite the recent crises, the IT industry in Saxony can look back on successful months. Information and communication technology has developed into an economic growth driver, said the managing director of the industry association Cluster IT Mitteldeutschland, Gerd Neudert, of the German Press Agency. Figures for an exact forecast would differ, but the industry can still expect further growth of up to ten percent. According to associations, companies are experiencing a sustained boom.
“As a result, this branch of the economy is one of the fastest growing in Saxony. The forecasts all assume that development will continue,” emphasized Neudert. Thematic priorities emerged within the Free State. The Dresden region is strongly influenced by the semiconductor industry. These are used as part of microchips in electronic devices. “In the Chemnitz area, solutions for the manufacturing industry are of great importance, including mechanical and plant engineering and the automotive industry.”
Meanwhile, the Leipzig region stands for software development and consulting services. At the same time, a collaborative working relationship has developed in the industry in recent years, explained Neudert.
On Monday, the industry meets for the Saxon IT Summit in Plauen. According to the information, around 200 participants are expected. They want to discuss how Saxony can become a leading IT location in the world. Topics include robotics in the classroom, artificial intelligence, the transformation of work culture and so-called smart cloud technology in industry.
The world of information technology received another boost during the Corona period, said Frank Bösenberg, Managing Director of the “Silicon Saxony” industry association in Dresden. The Saxon IT industry now has 70,500 employees in around 2,300 companies. A year ago, according to the association, the number was still 65,000 employees, by 2035 Bösenberg expects around 100,000.
The expert emphasized that the growth does not only affect Dresden, but also other locations such as Freiberg and Chemnitz. In software development and microelectronics as the main areas of the industry, Saxony is on the right track. “We are now the largest and most important location in Europe for microelectronics,” explains Bösenberg. “Every third microchip that is produced on the continent comes from Dresden.” The demand for the currently scarce components that can be found in computers and smartphones, for example, is high worldwide. “It is important for Saxony to have enough skilled workers. Then we can establish ourselves at the top of the world market.”
Rainer Gläß, chairman of the Südwestsachsen Digital association, said that the current enormous push towards digitization, including in smaller companies, in authorities or schools, could advance rural development from Vogtland to Lusatia. Topics such as home office or coworking spaces would bring jobs to more remote areas – giving online trade, e-learning, telemedicine or online meetings a boost. “For the IT industry there are many technologies, services and products behind it.”
Research is also continuing in the field of artificial intelligence. According to Gläß, one focus should be assistance systems that predict demand trends or customer requests. “This allows logistics processes to be adapted and made sustainable – and the throwing away of food or returns in online retail can be reduced.”
