Together into the Future

The transfer between science and industry, between research and application is the real freestyle with future-oriented technology. The Center for Artificial Intelligence was founded in the state of Hessen to ensure that this also succeeds.

© Claus Völker/TU Darmstadt

Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly popular—also in Germany. Whereas three years ago, proponents and skeptics of the technology were about the same, two thirds (68 %) of people in Germany now see AI more as an opportunity. This was the result of a survey by the digital association Bitkom.

The transfer between science and industry, between research and application is the real freestyle with future-oriented technology. The Center for Artificial Intelligence was founded in the state of Hessen to ensure that this also succeeds. The unique thing about it, is that it is supported by 13 Hessian universities and so harnesses their respective strengths. The main center will be at the TU Darmstadt, with a secondary location at the Goethe University of Frankfurt and further regional locations are planned at the participating universities.

And why in the state of Hessen? “The economic structure in Hessen holds particular potential for the application of artificial intelligence. More companies in Hessen are using AI already—more so than in other federal states. In 2018, this figure had already reached 5 % of the companies in Hessen,” says Tarek Al-Wazir, Hessian Minister of Economics, Energy and Housing. “We want to build on this, we want to expand on this,” he adds. AI is increasingly becoming a driver of digital value creation for companies.

Excellent scientists are finding their way to Hessen through the center, and researchers already working here will also be offered an attractive environment in which young scientists are also supported.