Human Centric AI – Intelligent Solutions for the Knowledge Society
The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) was founded in 1988 as a non-profit public-private partnership. It has research facilities in Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken and Bremen, Niedersachsen, laboratories in Berlin and Darmstadt, and branch offices in Lübeck and Trier. In the field of innovative commercial software technology using Artificial Intelligence, DFKI is the leading research center in Germany.
Based on application oriented basic research, DFKI develops product functions, prototypes and patentable solutions in the field of information and communication technology. Research and development projects are conducted in 28 research departments, nine competence centers and eight living labs. Funding is received from government agencies like the European Union, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the German Federal States and the German Research Foundation (DFG), as well as from cooperation with industrial partners. Twice a year, a committee of internationally renowned experts (Scientific Advisory Board) audits the progress and results of state-funded projects.
Apart from the state governments of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Bremen, numerous renowned German and international high-tech companies from a wide range of industrial sectors are represented on the DFKI supervisory board. The DFKI model of a non-profit public-private partnership (ppp) is nationally and internationally considered a blueprint for corporate structure in the field of top-level research.
DFKI is actively involved in numerous organizations representing and continuously advancing Germany as an excellent location for cutting-edge research and technology. Far beyond the country’s borders DFKI enjoys an excellent reputation for its academic training of young scientists. At present, approx. 930 highly qualified researchers, administrators and 630 graduate students from more than 76 countries are contributing to more than 560 DFKI research projects. DFKI serves as a stepping stone to leading positions in industry and successful careers as founders of spin-off companies. Over the years, more than 160 staff members have been appointed professors at universities in Germany and abroad.
Research at DFKI
Guided by scientific excellence and societal relevance, the DFKI has been conducting research on intelligent software technologies since 1988, addressing all relevant future topics. With our work, we cover the entire spectrum of AI research – from data management and analysis to image recognition and understanding, language and text comprehension, virtual and augmented reality, as well as human-machine interaction, autonomous and learning systems, robotics, and IT security. Our scope ranges from basic research to industrial product development, aiming for the successful transfer of AI technologies into economy and society.
In our research, we not only explore the potential of intelligent systems for pressing societal challenges. Aspects such as ethics, security, social responsibility, and the protection of our natural resources fundamentally play a significant role in our daily work. We develop technologies that optimize the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, relieving medical personnel. We conduct research on robots that can operate autonomously in hostile environments like disaster areas or the deep sea. And we work on solutions that enhance efficiency and sustainability in agriculture, production, or energy industry. These acitivities are carried out in close cooperation with both national and international industry and research partners.
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