KIT and IBM: Strategic Collaboration for Generative AI and Digital Innovations
Intelligent assistants and automated solutions are set to simplify daily workflows, take over routine tasks, and create competitive advantages in the future. Artificial intelligence, in its various facets, serves as a fundamental enabling technology for this transformation. To jointly develop and strengthen digital innovations while fostering young talent for science and industry, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and IBM are expanding their long-standing collaboration. The official launch of this now strategic partnership took place on January 9, 2025. (Source: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology – Press Releases)
The organizations are primarily focused on advancing joint research in key areas such as “Digital Innovations for Services and Platforms,” “Artificial Intelligence” (AI), and “Human-Machine Collaboration.” To support these efforts, a tenure-track professorship funded by IBM will be established at KIT within the newly founded Institute for Information Systems. Through this initiative, KIT and IBM promote active dialogue between science, industry, and society regarding technology developments and their impacts while strengthening close collaboration in recruiting and university marketing.
“The strategic collaboration between KIT and IBM enables us to work more intensively on the opportunities and challenges presented by both digitalization and artificial intelligence, allowing us to find solutions together,” says Professor Jan S. Hesthaven, President of KIT. “By fostering digital innovations, we not only create an international competitive advantage but also contribute significantly to societal benefit.” KIT students will benefit directly from this initiative, with new joint teaching formats planned for degree programs such as Industrial Engineering, Information Systems, and Computer Science.
“KIT and its excellence in research, education, and knowledge transfer have been a vital pillar of our actively cultivated collaboration for many years. We see great potential in expanding this partnership even further on an international level, particularly through IBM Research and our global development centers,” agree David Faller, Vice President of IBM Development, and Dr. Juan Bernabé-Moreno, Director of IBM Research Europe, UK & Ireland.
Expanding a Long-Standing Collaboration
Since 2008, KIT and IBM have been offering a platform for collaborative innovations in digitalization through the KSRI – Karlsruhe Digital Service Research & Innovation Hub. This initiative brings together researchers, companies, students, and industry partners. “With this new agreement, we build on a successful history of collaboration and further advance the central themes of innovation and knowledge transfer to society,” says Professor Thomas Hirth, Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs at KIT. “This is fantastic because it demonstrates how existing relationships can be leveraged to introduce new impulses and continuously advance key areas.”
“Collaborative innovations are essential for strengthening our location, making tangible contributions to key technologies such as (generative) AI, and driving application-oriented research,” states Dr. Carsten Holtmann, Director of IBM Customer Success, who is responsible for AI innovations and the relationship with KIT on IBM’s behalf. “Additionally, scientific excellence is a crucial anchor point in bringing together students, researchers, and experts from industry. KIT, and especially KSRI, offer excellent opportunities for this purpose.”
KIT/S. Wiebe, 14.02.2025
Note: The article has been translated from German to English. It is based on a press release from KIT.
The original press release can be found at:
KIT und IBM: Strategische Zusammenarbeit für generative KI und digitale Innovationen (only in german)
Contact for this press release:
Sandra Wiebe
Press Officer
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Tel.: +49 721 608-41172
E-Mail: sandra.wiebe@kit.edu
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