Munich Startup: Please briefly introduce yourself and Data&Innovation.
Stefanie Lämmle: We are the InnovationLab and the AI Competence Center (KICC), the two teams of the Data&Innovation department, which specializes in technical innovations and technological expertise in the field of machine learning and AI. Both teams currently have eight employees each.. The main task of the InnovationLab is to identify new technologies and trends and develop innovative solutions that could be of interest to the IT department and the Munich City Administration. The AI Competence Center is responsible for the development and operation of AI-based tools, such as our MUCGPT, a GenAI tool for all employees of the Munich City Administration.
Munich Startup: What role does the Data & Innovation department play in Munich’s digital transformation?
Stefanie Lämmle: Data&Innovation plays a central role in Munich's digital transformation. We drive technological innovations and develop new technology competencies within the city administration. Using our "Strategic Foresight" method, we identify future developments and trends relevant to Munich. Our work contributes to the introduction of modern working methods and technologies (such as artificial intelligence) and positions the city administration as an attractive employer for new talent.
Startup collaborations with impact
Munich Startup: What do you focus on when working with startups?
Stefanie Lämmle: When working with startups, we place great value on creativity, innovation, and user proximity. We seek solutions that meet the specific needs of the state capital of Munich while also being data protection compliant and sustainable. A good example is our collaboration with the startup Treesense in a pilot project for the preservation of urban trees, the cooperation with Ikigai in matching our junior staff to internal positions or the exchange with the startup forml in the area of AI support for the allocation of housing benefits.
Munich Startup: Which technologies or trends do you see as particularly relevant for the future development of city administration?
Stefanie Lämmle: Currently, most of the inquiries we receive are about the Hype topic “Artificial Intelligence” (AI). We expect that the implementation of use cases in this area will continue to play a central role for the City of Munich in the coming years. AI has the potential to optimize numerous processes within the city administration and increase the efficiency and quality of services.
In addition to AI, data analysis and forecasting will continue to be of great importance in the field of business intelligence. Data-driven decision-making processes enable us to create well-founded forecasts and guide urban development in a targeted manner. We want to place greater emphasis on implementing innovative approaches in data analysis to improve decision-making and planning within city administration.
Data&Innovation: Understanding administrative processes – and thinking along
Another relevant trend is sensor technology and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies enable us to collect and analyze real-time data to better monitor and manage urban infrastructure. For example, we've deployed mobile temperature sensors on garbage trucks to collect and analyze environmental data. And we've integrated sensors into trees to better control watering behavior.
Finally, we would also like to further expand on the topic of user experience (UX). A user-friendly design of administrative processes and digital services is crucial for increasing citizen satisfaction and facilitating interaction with the city administration. By continuously improving the UX, we can ensure that the city administration's digital offerings are used effectively and meet the needs of citizens.
Munich Startup: What is the biggest mistake a startup that wants to work with the government can make?
Stefanie Lämmle: When working with a city administration, it is important that startups understand the specific needs and data protection requirements of the city administration and adapt their solutions accordingly. Close cooperation and open communication are particularly important. Awarding and procurement Even startups need to have a thorough understanding of the processes and legal intricacies. In a large municipality like Munich, there's the added challenge that IT solutions, in particular, must be scaled to accommodate this large number of users and prove to be high-performance and stable enough for professional IT operations. For this reason, we usually recommend conducting a small joint showcase or pilot project beforehand so that both parties (the startup and the administration) can gain initial experience.
Vision for the digital city
Munich Startup: What vision do you have for the digital city of Munich in the next five to ten years?
Stefanie Lämmle: Our vision for the digital city of Munich over the next five to ten years is an administration that becomes more efficient and citizen-friendly through innovative technologies and data-driven decision-making processes. We want to create an administration that is considered a pioneer for sustainable and data protection-compliant solutions while simultaneously offering attractive working conditions for new talent. Through our work, we want to contribute to making Munich a little bit more livable.
Munich Startup: Last but not least: Who do startups approach when they want to talk to you?
Stefanie Lämmle: Startups who want to talk to us can contact us directly. Innovation Lab or the AI Competence Center Our team is available to discuss ideas and suggestions and to initiate possible collaborations.
