Where is AI heading: Where does Germany stand?

Funding and Innovations on the one hand and regulatory initiatives on the other: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently experiencing a lot of attention in research and politics. The current status will be presented by high-profile guests at the virtual AI Congress "Smart Machines in Action." On December 1, 2021, the event will provide insights on the topic "The German Federal Government's AI Strategy as a Future Opportunity for Companies."

Germany and Europe are taking their own AI path in the global comparison, focusing on trustworthy AI at the center of their actions. While outside the European Union, the emphasis is mainly on speed in development, trustworthy AI should be subject to certifications and standards to ensure responsible use. For example, the European Commission proposed on April 21 of this year to classify AI-based applications into risk categories – the higher the risk, the more the application should be regulated or even banned. In Germany, last year, the "German Institute for Standardization" (DIN) presented a standards roadmap for AI. The industry also has a high demand for more standards.

Remaining Competitive

However, there is also the international competitive pressure faced by German companies. They are already falling behind in some AI application areas. Therefore, politics supports AI-based technology developments with numerous funding programs at both state and federal levels. The focus is particularly on the transfer of research results into practical business applications. Is Germany doing too much or too little? And is it doing the right thing? How much standardization is helpful, and where does it become a hindrance?

Various Insights at the AI Congress

All these aspects will be addressed by the speakers of the third AI Congress "Smart Machines in Action," organized by Fraunhofer IPA in cooperation with the Konradin Media Group and their well-known magazine "bild der wissenschaft." The moderation will be handled by the renowned futurist, science, and technology journalist Dr. Ulrich Eberl. On the political side, the Minister for Economics, Labor, and Tourism of Baden-Württemberg, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, will deliver a greeting. Dr. Anna Christmann, former chairwoman of the AI Inquiry Commission of the German Bundestag, and Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner from the Federal AI Association will moderate the panel discussion.

Another focus of the event is practical insights. Speakers from companies Trumpf, Mackevision, and Dataiku will report on AI in their daily business, challenges faced, and what helped them implement AI solutions. The third focus is on research contributions. Professor Dr. Christoph Keplinger, director at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, will discuss basic research on AI and robotics within the AI research network "Cyber Valley." Dr. Werner Kraus from Fraunhofer IPA will provide a virtual live insight into the robot testing field and demonstrate the added value of AI for robotics and automation. Additional successful implementation examples and project formats for cooperation between research and industry will complete the program.

Fraunhofer IPA has firsthand experience in this area because it conducts comprehensive research on the topic and offers various, including free, funding formats related to AI for manufacturing, such as within the "Center for Cyber Cognitive Intelligence" or the AI Advancement Center "Learning Systems and Cognitive Robotics" in collaboration with Fraunhofer IAO. In both centers, scientists have already worked on more than 130 projects related to AI across diverse industries such as manufacturing technology, medicine, measurement technology, agriculture, sales, quality assurance, and more. As a result, they are familiar with both barriers and enablers for successful AI projects from practical business experience. Through specially conducted studies on reliable AI and explainable AI, the institute actively contributes to shaping trustworthy AI.

Continuation of the Event in May 2022

The virtual event on December 1, 2021, is only the first part of the AI Congress. Originally, it was planned as an in-person event in December last year but had to be canceled due to COVID-19. This year, it was also not possible to plan such a large in-person event. Instead, the organizers decided on a virtual first part of the congress, which will be followed by a one-day in-person event on May 10, 2022.