As part of his tour across Bavaria, Dr. Markus Söder, Minister-President of Bavaria, attended the traditional Candlemas Reception at Speinshart Monastery in the Upper Palatinate, together with Member of the Bavarian Parliament Tobias Reiß and Mayor Albert Nickl.
In his address, the Minister-President emphasized the unique character of Speinshart, where “Abbey” and “AI” go hand in hand. He highlighted the historic monastery village as an important regional anchor for spirituality and reflection — and at the same time as a forward-looking hub for high technology.
Dr. Söder underlined the successful development of the Speinshart Scientific Center for AI and SuperTech (SSC), which has established itself as a dynamic research center for artificial intelligence and key technologies. He reaffirmed Bavaria’s commitment to consistently advancing its Hightech Strategy — particularly in rural areas. In this context, the Bavarian State Government will continue to support the expansion and operation of the SSC through 2027 with funding of more than €5 million.
The Minister-President also stressed the broader importance of strengthening rural regions, describing them as “the soul of Bavaria.” Record allocations in the municipal financial equalization scheme, broadband expansion programs, and the relocation of public authorities are clear signals of sustained investment in Bavaria’s regions — securing prosperity and jobs throughout the state.
For the SSC, the visit represents a strong endorsement of its mission: to connect cutting-edge research in AI and SuperTech with society, industry, and policy — and to do so from the heart of rural Bavaria.
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