New campus in Potsdam: The future of digital science begins!

New campus in Potsdam: The future of digital science begins!

On June 2, 2025, the University of Potsdam (UP) will take a decisive step in its development. The university is receiving a new campus on the site of the former state parliament on Brauhausberg. The goal is to create outstanding study and research conditions over the next ten years. This represents a significant development boost for the science location of Brandenburg and the science city of Potsdam. According to the University of Potsdam, the new campus will set international standards for modern research and teaching.

The Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI), which is to be significantly expanded at the Griebnitzsee location, plays an important role. The expansion is intended to make the HPI a leading institute for digital sciences in Europe. As part of a declaration of intent, the state of Brandenburg, the UP and the Hasso Plattner Foundation (HPF) have set the course for this impressive transformation.

Importance of technology requirement

Prime Minister Dr. Dietmar Woidke underlines the relevance of technology development in the area of ​​artificial intelligence (AI), which is seen as a decisive economic driver for the coming years. Artificial intelligence is considered an important location factor that will not only shape science but also the economy in Germany.

Hasso Plattner, founder of the HPF, emphasizes how important the new campus is for education and future viability. Prof. Oliver Günther, President of the UP, also talks about new forms of academic life and learning at the new locations. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Robert Crumbach emphasizes the development as a win-win situation for Potsdam as a science location.

A large-scale project

The new campus includes the introduction of new master's programs as well as international collaborations through the Digital Engineering Faculty. This faculty was founded in 2017 and is the first fully privately financed faculty at a public university in Germany. The focus is on promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and training specialists in the field of digital engineering.

In addition, the Hasso Plattner Foundation has taken over the areas on Griebnitzsee used by the UP and will provide replacement areas on Brauhausberg. Both locations are scheduled to be completed by 2035 at the latest. For this purpose, a task force will be set up to coordinate the planning and implementation of the projects. This task force is led by Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke and Hasso Plattner and includes representatives from various ministries and the city of Potsdam.

Future of AI in Germany

In the broader perspective, the AI ​​map of the Learning Systems platform is particularly informative. It shows over 280 research institutions in Germany that are researching AI technologies. There are also over 700 courses that deal with AI and data science. These institutions are crucial in laying the foundations for successful implementation of AI in various areas.

Over 1,100 AI applications are in various stages of development in Germany and can be filtered by field of application and industry. The main application areas include assistance systems, predictive analytics and process automation. Innovative industries such as healthcare, mobility, energy and environment also show great potential for AI applications.

Overall, the development of the new campus and the HPI is not only a benefit for local science, but could also make a significant contribution to strengthening Europe's digital sovereignty. The close cooperation between the UP and the HPI is a key to the future development of research and education in the digital age.