How Germany can become competitive in the international AI arena

Eighteen Alexander von Humboldt Professors for AI recently gathered at the invitation of Humboldt Professor Holger Hoos (RWTH Aachen University) and Humboldt Professor Aimee van Wynsberghe (University of Bonn) for the Future of AI Summit held on 27 and 28 September during the Aachen AI Week. Organised under the auspices of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, a variety of events took place that brought together / bringing together high-calibre researchers, industry representatives and the general public. The summit aimed not only to promote networking between AI experts and foster the sharing of views and information on specialist topics, but also to inform the public about the subject of AI.

During the AI summit, the Humboldt Professors for AI developed a list of seven recommendations for the German government. In addition to the issue of financing, the recommendations also focus on ensuring technological independence and building advisory structures.

In addition to the Humboldt AI professors, junior researchers were also invited and received the opportunity to have an intensive dialogue with the attending experts. “There were discussions about leading-edge research and regarding the question of where AI is headed. The talks however also centred on how we can conduct AI research and development so that Europe not only remains competitive but also − and in particular − creates trustworthy AI systems you don’t have to be afraid of,” said Holger Hoos, who was awarded a Humboldt Professorship for AI in 2022 and is now one of the directors of the Center for Artificial Intelligence at RWTH Aachen University. 

As part of the German government’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation can appoint Alexander von Humboldt Professors for Artificial Intelligence in the years up to 2024. These professorships are contributing to the development of a comprehensive understanding and the practical application of AI for our future. They will also help strengthen Germany’s standing as an internationally attractive and influential location in this field. Each Alexander von Humboldt Professorship comes with up to €5 million in funding, making it Germany’s most valuable research award. The award is financed by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

(Press Release 28/2023)

Every year, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables more than 2,000 researchers from all over the world to spend time conducting research in Germany. The Foundation maintains an interdisciplinary network of well over 30,000 Humboldtians in more than 140 countries around the world – including 61 Nobel Prize winners.