Node institutions
Solid anchoring for AI at Bavarian higher education institutions
The universities of applied sciences (UAS) and technical universities play a key role in the Bavarian AI network: They help to arrange the critical transfer of knowledge and expertise into practical applications at regional companies. At the same time, they train the specialists and managers who are urgently needed throughout Bavaria as a science location. In this process, they take into account individual regional requirements, putting into practice the notion of “specialists from the region, for the region”.
100 AI professorships for Bavaria
Research in the field of artificial intelligence is one of the key areas within the Hightech Agenda Bavaria (HTA) announced by Minister President Dr. Markus Söder in October 2019. 50 AI professorships were created in order to specifically strengthen the AI center in Munich as well as the nodes in Würzburg, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Ingolstadt. Another 50 AI professorships were arranged in connection with the AI competition. The goal is to provide significant support for teaching at the universities in order to promote training of specialists and managers who are urgently needed in all regions of Bavaria – while also helping to solidify the presence of AI at the Bavarian universities.
Starting from the AI center in Munich and the nodes in Würzburg, Erlangen-Nuremberg and Ingolstadt, a state-wide network is being created for AI research with a thematic focus in order to develop Bavaria's position as a leader in AI.
From the center of the AI network in Munich, various node universities extend all across Bavaria. Each node has its own AI speciality.
Data science node in Würzburg
As the data science node, Würzburg functions as a key interface with the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIRO) at THWS and the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (CAIDAS) at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg.
Both institutions are researching techniques in data science as well as the related areas of AI while working to connect their findings with fields of application in science. THWS is focusing on applied research in the field of strong AI. The institutions are thus expected to function as a sort of “expertise catalyst” for science, industry and society.
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS)
https://www.thws.de/
Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU)
https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/
Robotics end node in Schweinfurt
Several Bavarian cities are designated as end nodes in the AI network, including Schweinfurt. There, THWS is creating the Center Robotics and Intelligence (CERI).
With its bachelor's programme in robotics, THWS has created a degree course with an international benchmark function. A non-application-dependent professional profile serves as the foundation, targeting universal deployment of specialists.
CERI is committed to addressing the needs of regional companies in the field of robotics through applied research. This includes complete or partial automation of industrial processes with the goal of maintaining production in high-wage countries like Germany.
Center Robotics and Intelligence (CERI) at THWS
https://ceri.thws.de/
Health node in Erlangen
The Erlangen AI health node at Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) is part of the “Medical Valley” cluster. This is a network encompassing the University Hospital Erlangen, the medical, engineering and natural sciences faculties of FAU as well as the medical technology and health industry in the Nuremberg metropolitan region with over 500 companies.
Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
https://www.fau.de/
Mobility node in Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is the “mobility node” in the Bavarian AI network. This is supported by extensive research activities in the areas of mobility and AI at the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI). The focus is on potential innovations in the areas of autonomous driving, unmanned aerial vehicles and AI-supported automotive production.
Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt
https://www.thi.de/