The preservation and rapid empowerment of a digitally competent working society, which despite demographic change and skilled labor shortages contributes to a productive and competitive economy, is of strategic interest to the federal government. For the competitiveness of companies, securing the skilled labor base is especially crucial. In view of an aging society, there is urgent need for action to keep employees employed for as long as possible under good and healthy working conditions, to unlock unused domestic potentials, and to make the working environment more inclusive and diverse. Digital technologies, and especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer the possibility to keep or integrate people with age-related, cognitive, or psychological impairments longer and healthier in the labor market and to create an age- and disability-appropriate work environment.
The research contract to be awarded (performance period: 2027–2028) aims to identify the opportunities and needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and workers with disabilities regarding the use of technological support in the workplace and thus to unlock workforce potentials through digitalization and AI. Since there is no systematic and comprehensive representation available yet, practice-oriented and practicable scientific research is needed on how SMEs can support employees with disabilities by using new technologies (e.g., AI) in the workplace. A contribution should also be made to securing the experiential knowledge of employees and strengthening existing (consulting) structures by supporting overarching institutions (e.g., inclusion offices, chambers of industry and commerce, leading business associations) in advising SMEs on questions of digital transformation.
The research contract will be tendered Europe-wide as a competitive dialogue with a preceding participation contest. The services may be provided by a consortium.
To achieve the set goals, the contractors implementing the research project must perform at least the following work packages. The exact design shall be explained by the bidders within the framework of the competitive dialogue:
1. Basic research and needs analysis:
o Conducting an empirical-exploratory study to identify and systematically present the needs of SMEs and their employees with disabilities.
o Creating an overview of appropriate technological and AI-based solutions.
o Suitability check of AI technologies for specific fields of work; where unsuitable, the need for alternative solutions should be demonstrated.
2. Implementation strategies and deployment:
o Development of implementation proposals and support for the implementation and long-term use of the identified technologies.
o Identification and creation of target-group-appropriate information materials and channels.
o Inclusion of feedback and evaluation through a co-creative approach.
3. Review and adjustment:
o Review and testing of the developed information materials and channels as well as their refinement and adjustment.
o Assessment of the effectiveness of the (AI) support tools.
4. Dissemination including a broad-based support offer across regions:
o Continuous dissemination to strengthen the external impact of the project goals and results.
Addressees of the research contract: scientific institutions, universities, and research institutions. Subject and addressees of the research measure: SMEs and overarching institutions to be involved accordingly in project implementation. Perspectives of affected workers, of organizations and associations of self-representation, counseling, and self-help of and for people with disabilities are also to be considered.
LOT-0000
ZVS-04812-8/13a
Inclusively Utilizing Workforce Potentials through Digitalization and AI.
The preservation and rapid empowerment of a digitally competent working society, which despite demographic change and skilled labor shortages contributes to a productive and competitive economy, is of strategic interest to the federal government. For the competitiveness of companies, securing the skilled labor base is especially crucial. In view of an aging society, there is urgent need for action to keep employees employed for as long as possible under good and healthy working conditions, to unlock unused domestic potentials, and to make the working environment more inclusive and diverse. Digital technologies, and especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), offer the possibility to keep or integrate people with age-related, cognitive, or psychological impairments longer and healthier in the labor market and to create an age- and disability-appropriate work environment.
The research contract to be awarded (performance period: 2027–2028) aims to identify the opportunities and needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and workers with disabilities regarding the use of technological support in the workplace and thus to unlock workforce potentials through digitalization and AI. Since there is no systematic and comprehensive representation available yet, practice-oriented and practicable scientific research is needed on how SMEs can support employees with disabilities by using new technologies (e.g., AI) in the workplace. A contribution should also be made to securing the experiential knowledge of employees and strengthening existing (consulting) structures by supporting overarching institutions (e.g., inclusion offices, chambers of industry and commerce, leading business associations) in advising SMEs on questions of digital transformation.
The research contract will be tendered Europe-wide as a competitive dialogue with a preceding participation contest. The services may be provided by a consortium.
To achieve the set goals, the contractors implementing the research project must perform at least the following work packages. The exact design shall be explained by the bidders within the framework of the competitive dialogue:
1. Basic research and needs analysis:
o Conducting an empirical-exploratory study to identify and systematically present the needs of SMEs and their employees with disabilities.
o Creating an overview of appropriate technological and AI-based solutions.
o Suitability check of AI technologies for specific fields of work; where unsuitable, the need for alternative solutions should be demonstrated.
2. Implementation strategies and deployment:
o Development of implementation proposals and support for the implementation and long-term use of the identified technologies.
o Identification and creation of target-group-appropriate information materials and channels.
o Inclusion of feedback and evaluation through a co-creative approach.
3. Review and adjustment:
o Review and testing of the developed information materials and channels as well as their refinement and adjustment.
o Assessment of the effectiveness of the (AI) support tools.
4. Dissemination including a broad-based support offer across regions:
o Continuous dissemination to strengthen the external impact of the project goals and results.
Addressees of the research contract: scientific institutions, universities, and research institutions. Subject and addressees of the research measure: SMEs and overarching institutions to be involved accordingly in project implementation. Perspectives of affected workers, of organizations and associations of self-representation, counseling, and self-help of and for people with disabilities are also to be considered.