German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI)

The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) was founded in 1988 and has research facilities in Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, Bremen and a project office in Berlin. In the field of innovative commercial software technology using Artificial Intelligence, DFKI is the leading research center in Germany.

Based on application oriented basic research DFKI develops product functions, prototypes and patentable solutions in the field of information and communication technology. Research and development projects are conducted in fifteen research departments and research groups, eight competence centers and six living labs. Funding is received from government agencies like the European Union, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), the German Federal States and the German Research Foundation (DFG) as well as from cooperation with industrial partners. Twice a year, a committee of internationally renowned experts (Scientific Advisory Board) audits the progress and results of publically funded projects. In addition, BMBF evaluates DFKI every five years. The most recent assessment was again very successfully concluded in 2010.

Apart from the state governments of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Bremen, numerous renowned German and international high-tech companies are represented on the DFKI supervisory board. The DFKI model of a non-profit public-private partnership (ppp) is nationally and internationally considered a blueprint for corporate structure in the field of top-level research.

DFKI is actively involved in numerous organizations representing and continuously advancing Germany as an excellent location for cutting-edge research and technology. Far beyond the country’s borders DFKI enjoys an excellent reputation for its academic training of young scientists. At present, 457 highly qualified researchers and 371 graduate students from more than 60 countries are contributing to 180 DFKI research projects. DFKI serves as a stepping stone to leading positions in industry and successful careers as founders of spin-off companies. Over the years, more than 60 staff members have been appointed professors at universities in Germany and abroad.