Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Tübingen: New Center for Artificial Intelligence in Heilbronn!

Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Tübingen: New Center for Artificial Intelligence in Heilbronn!

On May 8, 2025, an important step in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) was taken in Germany: The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), together with the universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen, founded a state graduate center for applied artificial intelligence (LGZ) in Heilbronn. [KIT] reports that this center aims to train professionals in areas such as chip design, robotics and cybersecurity. The foundation takes place within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which defines the cooperation between the institutions and promotes the close connection between science and industry.

The LGZ will be set up as an external location of the KIT and is intended to attract particularly international talent. Science Minister Petra Olschowski describes the center as an innovative university policy real laboratory. It is planned to complete the center by 2029, which will be funded by the state with up to 30 million euros annually. 1.4 million euros are already planned for 2025 and eleven million euros for 2026.

Research and development in the field of AI

A total of ten professorships as well as more than 60 doctoral students and around 20 postdocs are planned at the LGZ. These specialists should work at the interface between computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. The resulting synergies are expected to improve the transition from academic research to industrial practice.

At the same time, there are discussions about the sustainability of AI systems. A research team from AlgorithmWatch, IÖW and the TU Berlin has developed a set of criteria and indicators for sustainable AI, supported by the Federal Environment Ministry. [ecornet] informs that over 40 indicators have been created to assess the sustainability of AI systems. These indicators cover the entire AI lifecycle, from data model to hardware disposal, and include criteria such as transparency, inclusive design and resource consumption.

The need to systematically consider the sustainability impacts of AI developments is underlined by political regulations such as the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act. Part of this initiative is the “SustAIn – Sustainability Index for Artificial Intelligence” project, which develops ways to improve the sustainability of AI systems.

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Another key aspect in the context of AI development is its integration into higher education. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been supporting these efforts since the end of 2021. Projects to develop study programs and intelligent assistance systems are supported as part of the federal-state initiative “Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education”. [Bildungsserver] emphasizes that the responsible development of generative AI is also discussed here.

With initiatives such as the AI ​​Campus, which is developing a digital learning platform for AI, future academic specialists are intended to be competently prepared for the challenges in this future-oriented area. The academic support of students is promoted through innovative formats and networks.

Overall, it can be seen that developments in the field of AI, both in academic training and in sustainability assessment, are gaining momentum. The need to create transparent, inclusive and environmentally friendly systems is becoming increasingly relevant and requires a comprehensive consideration of politics and science.