What happens when demographic change leads to the abandonment of entire regions? This is exactly what is happening in Germany right now, with young people moving to cities to find work.

Smart Country addresses the challenges of the 21st Century. Intelligent technology will mean participation for everyone, ensuring equal living conditions in both cities and rural areas.

Im Rahmen des Wissenschaftsdialoges Dialog an Deck zeigt Demographieexperte Carsten Große Starmann, wohin die Reise gehen kann, wenn digitale Strategien die Kommunen und Regionen künftig verändern werden.

Is this the future? Is artificial intelligence the answer to assisted living of the elderly at home, so as to master autonomous living?

How do intelligent systems influence our lives? How will our work change as a result of the new technologies? How will we work in the future?

Digital strategies help improve the day-to-day lives of people and secure social engagement. Dr. Bernd Holtwick, head of exhibitions at DASA (an exhibition center on the world of work based in Dortmund), discusses the topic of “Care”. In his opinion, there is no doubt that robots will play a part in the future of the care sector. They make the organization and design of care services easier. Robots can play a supportive role and yet they will never replace people. The Bertelsmann Stiftung “Smart Country” project researches how digital strategies can mean the megatrends digitization and demographic change ensure everyone is involved.

Smart City and Smart Country are concepts that use intelligent technology and networks to tackle the challenges of the 21st century such as designing demographic change. Gregor Isenbort, the head of DASA in Dortmund (an exhibition center on the world of work), makes a brief statement on the function of robots.

Agriculture is an integral part of productivity in rural areas. Digitization offers numerous opportunities to maintain and further develop the industry. One example of this is showcased here—an automatic steering system for tractors and harvesters.