The Liverpool City Region and Hamburg have agreed to join forces to develop a trans‑European AI supercluster, marking a major step forward in international collaboration in advanced technologies.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and The Artificial Intelligence Centre (ARIC) in Hamburg. The agreement was signed by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and ARIC CEO Alois Krtil, setting out a shared ambition to accelerate innovation and strengthen ties between the two regions.
The new partnership focuses on connecting leading research institutions, businesses, and policymakers across both regions to drive real‑world applications of advanced technologies.
A central aim is to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem, enabling knowledge sharing, joint research, and the development of cutting‑edge solutions across industries.
The MoU also includes a commitment to exchange expertise in quantum technologies, alongside artificial intelligence, helping both regions stay at the forefront of emerging fields.
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between Liverpool City Region and Hamburg, strengthened through reciprocal visits and exchanges in 2023 and 2024.
These ties included Liverpool City Region being invited as the official port partner for Hamburg’s 837th Hafengeburtstag, the world’s largest annual port festival.
During the latest visit, Mayor Rotheram is also set to sign a separate joint declaration of intent with Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, to further develop academic, economic, and cultural collaboration.
The AI partnership was supported by leading academic and research institutions from the Liverpool City Region.
Representatives in attendance included:
- The University of Liverpool
- Liverpool John Moores University’s Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies Research Institute
- The STFC Hartree Centre at Daresbury
Their involvement highlights the importance of linking research excellence with practical innovation, ensuring that new technologies can be translated into real‑world impact.
The visit also included a high‑level trade and innovation mission, with several deep‑tech companies from the Liverpool City Region travelling to Hamburg. These companies are working with German counterparts to explore opportunities for cross‑border collaboration, product testing, and innovation development.
The MoU outlines a wide range of areas where collaboration will be developed, including:
- Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics
- Responsible and trustworthy AI
- Quantum technologies
- Applications in critical infrastructure
- Innovation in logistics and maritime sectors
- Life sciences and healthcare technologies
- Aviation and transport systems
- Smart city development and urban innovation
The agreement also allows for future collaboration in other deep‑tech fields where both regions share strategic interest.
The partnership aligns with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s wider ambition to position itself as a leader in AI and digital innovation. Recent initiatives include hosting an annual AI Summit, appointing the UK’s first regional Chief AI Officer, and supporting businesses and public services to adopt AI responsibly.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said:
“Liverpool City Region has a proud history of global trade and innovation, and this agreement with Hamburg strengthens our ability to shape the future, especially in AI and deep tech. With the Combined Authority appointing the UK’s first regional Chief AI Officer, we’re putting the right leadership in place to turn ambition into action – opening new opportunities for our businesses, researchers and communities, and supporting responsible innovation that delivers real benefits.”
By linking two major European innovation ecosystems, the partnership aims to attract investment and talent, accelerate commercialisation of new technologies, and support regional economic growth.
The collaboration also reflects a broader trend towards cross‑border innovation networks, where regions work together to tackle complex challenges and drive technological advancement.
By combining strengths in research, industry and public sector leadership, Liverpool City Region and Hamburg aim to develop solutions that not only drive growth but also ensure responsible and sustainable use of technology.
Image credit: iStock
