AI Act: regulatory framework for artificial intelligence in the EU

April 03, 2025
Glossary entry

The AI Act is a draft law of the European Union that was first presented in 2021 and aims to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the EU. The aim is to create a legally secure, ethical and transparent environment for the development and use of AI technologies. The AI Act takes a risk-based approach and categorises AI systems into four risk categories:

    • Unacceptable risk: These AI systems, such as AI for social scoring or mass surveillance, will be completely banned.
    • High risk: These include AI applications in areas such as healthcare, transport and law enforcement, which are subject to strict transparency, security and traceability requirements.
    • Low risk: AI applications such as chatbots, which do not have a critical impact, are subject to less stringent requirements.
    • Minimal risk: This category includes AI systems that do not have any special requirements.

The AI Act is not only intended to protect the safety and rights of citizens, but also to strengthen trust in AI, promote innovation and set a global standard. The regulation ensures that AI systems are used transparently, comprehensibly and fairly.

A focus on five key technologies

The Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub focuses on five areas of technology that are of particular importance to the region’s competitiveness:

    • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Use in production, logistics, quality management and data-driven services
    • Cyber security: Critical infrastructure protection, industrial IT security and secure data rooms
    • Industry Tech: IoT applications, sensor technology, automation, data analysis and networked production processes
    • Sustainability and energy efficiency: CO₂ reporting, energy-saving potential in production and buildings, and drivers for the circular economy – all measurable through key digital technologies
    • The Metaverse and Extended Reality (XR): Virtual and augmented reality as platforms for collaboration, training and product development, digital twins and immersive experiences

AI-powered matching platform: The right partner at the touch of a button

A key component of the Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub is the AI-powered matching feature. Companies and start-ups can describe their specific requirements or technology needs. The AI then identifies suitable Contact person and offers from the region’s partner network.

The aim is to match a specific need with a suitable contact as quickly as possible, and for this to lead to a concrete collaboration.

Events, funding opportunities and venues all in one place

In addition to AI-powered matching, the Rhein-Neckar Digital Hub provides a continuously updated overview of regional events, funding opportunities and workshops.

Also available Spaces for meetings, co-working and innovation projects across the entire metropolitan region are consolidated on the platform.

In this way, the Digital Hub makes the region’s various services and areas of expertise visible and accessible via a single digital portal.

Working together for innovation in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region

The Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub is supported by a regional network. Consortium partners are the innoWerft, the City of Mannheim and the 5-HT Chemistry & Health.

As associated partners support the Heidelberg Technology Park, the IHK Rhine-Neckar, the Economic Development Unit of the Rhein-Neckar District Office, the Heidelberg Economic Development Agency, the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, the Mannheim University of Applied Sciencesthe NEXT MANNHEIM and that Smart Industries Network the project.

Together, the partners bring together regional expertise and services relating to key digital technologies.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Skilled Trades and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg promoted.

Discover the Rhine-Neckar Digital Hub now

The Rhein-Neckar Digital Hub provides start-ups, businesses and research organisations with shared digital access to services and expertise relating to key technologies in the metropolitan region.

You’re a founder and would you like to use the Digital Hub for your start-up? Explore the platform and find out which services and contacts might be relevant to your idea!

Discover it now!