On June 27, our next CIOmove@Home will take us to Heilbronn, where Christian Müller, CEO of Schwarz IT, representatives from our host STACKIT (cloud and colocation provider of the Schwarz Group) and further experts have invited us to gain insights into their current IT activities and exciting projects in the region. One of the agenda items will focus on the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence, IPAI for short, which is just one kilometer away from the FORUM Bildungscampus Heilbronn, where we will be meeting. This AI district could become one of the largest and most important artificial intelligence ecosystems in Europe. In this article, we’ll tell you what the IPAI is all about.
The Global Home of Human AI: Development and Location
From 2025, the Steinäcker area in Heilbronn will be home to an innovative and international district that will house an advanced AI ecosystem as well as a space for the citizens of Heilbronn and numerous guests – the IPAI. This beacon project, mainly funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, covers an area of approximately 23 hectares and will be an extension of the existing buildings in the Wohlgelegen area. According to IPAI’s homepage, the campus will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including testing grounds for AI-based products and services. This will provide a unique environment for business, science and the public sector to collaborate and network, accelerating the application of artificial intelligence in Baden-Wuerttemberg.
The heart of the IPAI will be a circular area in the north-west of Heilbronn, designed by the Dutch architecture firm MVRDV. Their concept is a mixed-use area that combines high-quality AI research laboratories with apartments, restaurants, shopping, daycare, and recreational facilities.
Achievements and Future Plans
The first offices were already occupied in March 2024, including German automotive companies such as Audi and Porsche, as well as the Fraunhofer research institute. In the coming months, more partners will be added and a visitor center with AI demonstrators and art exhibitions will be opened. Deutschland.de emphasizes that the IPAI aims to create a powerful AI ecosystem that covers the entire AI value chain – from the training of specialists and research to the development, application and commercialization of ethically responsible AI.
Around 5,000 jobs are expected to be created at IPAI in start-ups, scientific institutes and companies. IPAI is also collaborating with Cyber Valley, a high-performance AI network already established in the region. While Cyber Valley focuses on excellent basic research, IPAI will help companies to quickly integrate this research into their value chain.
Strategic Partnership in Cutting-Edge AI Research with Aleph Alpha
In August 2023, IPAI and the German AI startup Aleph Alpha announced an extensive partnership. The collaboration will enable Aleph Alpha to advance its research activities together with top external researchers.
“With IPAI, we have gained a strong partner with a clear commitment to trustworthy and explainable AI,” said Jonas Andrulis, founder and CEO of Aleph Alpha, at a joint press conference. “Combining our resources and expertise will put us in a unique position to shape the development of AI in Europe in a self-determined and sovereign way. Our partnership with IPAI reinforces our shared goal of developing AI in line with ethical principles that promote the well-being of society. We want to ensure that German AI technologies set new standards in trust and transparency.”
“The partnership between IPAI and Aleph Alpha is creating an internationally competitive AI hub that will also accelerate the transfer of AI applications to our SMEs,” added Winfried Kretschmann, Minister President of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Overall, the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence represents an important step towards a future-oriented and networked AI development in Europe. Tim Roder, Head of Business Development IPAI Management GmbH, will give us further insights into the project in his keynote speech “Presentation IPAI – Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence” at our CIOmove@Schwarz IT. Participants can also look forward to the following keynotes:
- “Digitalization as a competitive advantage in IT” by Christian Müller, Chairman of the Board of Schwarz IT KG and Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits
- “The Cloud Transformation of the Schwarz Group” by Robin Hermann, Managing Director STACKIT Product & Go2Market
- “Why failed SW projects can still lead to success” by Yvonne Vogt, Member of the Management Board of LIDL Stiftung & Co. KG
Follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest news about our upcoming CIOmoves.