AI made in Berlin
A selectively brief overview of the AI ecosystem in Berlin and its major players.
As AI continues to become more relevant, 1 Berlin has established itself as a hotspot for AI. According to many metrics, it is Germany's AI capital – especially as the leading AI research location and main startup hub. 2 This article intends to give a selectively brief overview of the AI ecosystem in Berlin and its major players.
Among the most noteworthy forces behind Berlin's AI ecosystem is Klaus-Robert Müller, one of the world’s foremost computer science researchers, ranking 10th globally based on his D-index. He is a professor and chair of the machine learning group at the Technical University of Berlin and director of the new Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data. 3
The Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data (BIFOLD) is one of the cities leading AI research institutions, recently securing "permanent federal-state annual funding of 22 million euros." 4 BIFOLD conducts groundbreaking foundational research, focused on Big Data Management and Machine Learning, develops AI-based technologies, and educates AI experts. 5
Both Müller and BIFOLD are based at the Technical University of Berlin. It is one of the best universities in Germany and Europe for computer science. 6 More generally, "with almost 34 000 students, circa 100 course offerings and 40 Institutes, the historic [Technical University of Berlin] is one of Germany’s largest and most internationally renowned technical universities." 7
The Technical University of Berlin is also being funded through the prestigious excellence strategy of the federal government, with the joint cluster of excellence, Science of Intelligence. "[It] focuses on better understanding intelligence in all its facets and exploring which fundamental laws and principles underlie different forms of intelligence – whether artificial, individual, or collective. Researchers from various disciplines – ranging from psychology, robotics, and computer science to philosophy and behavioural research – are seeking to use their research results to create new intelligent technologies." 8
Another, newly established hub for AI is the AI Campus Berlin. It is "Europe’s first AI Campus, where research, startups and corporates come together and collaborate on Artificial Intelligence.” 9
One such project based at the AI Campus is K.I.E.Z., the Künstliches Intelligenz Entrepreneurship Zentrum. It is "an initiative dedicated to facilitate entrepreneurs in AI with scientific expertise as well as access to capital, industry partners and hiring talent. From the first idea to the successful business, [it provides] science-based AI startups with everything they need to grow fast and sustainably." 10
As for applications that have already reached the market, Ada Health is a pre-eminent example. "Ada is the world's most popular symptom assessment app, with 10 million users and 25 million completed assessments." 11
Further Reading: AI in Berlin (from Berlin Partner) presents a showcase of “current and pioneering [AI] developments, lighthouses, inspiring stories, all networks, initiatives and experts in Berlin.”
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