AININ becomes new "An-Institut" of the KU and the THI

The Artificial Intelligence Network Ingolstadt gGmbH (AININ) has been recognized as an "An-Institut" for AI research by both the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt and the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. An-Institutes (affiliated institutes) are completely independent when it comes to their legal and organizational structure, but cooperate closely with the academic institutions with which they are associated.

During the presentation of certificates ceremony at the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt last Tuesday, Prof. Dr. Walter Schober, President of the THI, Professor Dr. Jens Hogreve, Vicepresident for research at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and the chairman of the supervisory board of AININ gGmbH, Dr. Reinhard Brandl emphasized the special importance of the steady construction of a research and development network for artificial intelligence in the area of Ingolstadt. Professor Schober said “With AININ we have set up a unique regional AI networking system, bringing together scientists, municipal institutions and universities to forge the future together.”

The THI contributes its research competence in the field of AI and machine learning, especially with regard to their application in mobility and automobile production. With its research on AI, it is working towards making complex autonomous mobility controllable. It also aims at optimizing processes of production, logistics and quality assurance in terms of carbon neutrality. Since 2019, the THI has housed the Bavarian AI mobility hub with a total of 20 AI research professorships and 250 scientists.

By using pure and applied sciences, the KU wants to critically examine AI technology in its social settings, its consequences and implications. It hopes thereby to contribute to the shaping and defining of rules for a use of AI technology which is at the same time ethically accountable and people-centered. In addition, the KU endeavors to involve the public in the development and design of AI technology in a participatory and co-creative manner. Thus, the access to this technology as well as its interpretation will be rigorously scrutinized, but also promoted through appropriate discourse, science communication and measures for knowledge transfer. Moreover, AININ also has some common ground with the KU's prospective Institute for Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning and Data Science. "As a Catholic university, we are concerned with questions of digitization and artificial intelligence with regard to a digital society oriented toward people. Here, AININ offers us an excellent opportunity to give and receive impetus," says Prof. Dr. Jens Hogreve, Vice President for research and young researchers at the KU.

The Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AININ, Reinhard Brandl, member of the Bundestag, summarizes: "By now, a very good groundwork for AI research has been laid in Ingolstadt. In addition to the large number of scientists at THI and the KU and the groundbreaking research buildings, with AININ we have a powerful network, which brings all the players to the table. All of these measures will support the location in its scientific and economic dynamics and enable new technological approaches."

The Artificial Intelligence Network Ingolstadt gGmbH has the task of bringing together and networking all AI players from industry, companies, administration and science under one roof.

This is intended to help partners acquire funding in the field of AI and pair up researchers with companies. New AI research findings are expected to open up new AI business areas for companies, SMEs, and startups. To this end, AININ gGmbH closely cooperates with local companies, our Universities and regional offices for economic development.

Companies and interested parties in the region who would like to network in the field of artificial intelligence and become part of the rapidly growing innovation ecosystem are invited to contact AININ gGmbH (info@ainin.de).