Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt successful in International Research Marketing Ideas Competition

Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) has been awarded a prize in this year's International Research Marketing Ideas Competition of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The DFG awarded 25,000 euros for the submitted concept "basci.net - AI bridging science and society", which envisages the implementation of an international conference series on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) based on a digital AI platform.

"Basci.net." is a concept initiated under the leadership of Vice-President Prof. Dr. Thomas Suchandt and the THI's central research funding. The central objective is the internationalisation of the THI's new mobility node in the field of AI, AIMotion Bavaria, which was launched as part of the High-Tech Agenda Bavaria. This node pursues research activities in AI-supported automotive production as well as in the field of autonomous driving and unmanned flight. The focus here is on transferring research results into mobility applications and promoting networking of researchers at an international level.

Prof. Dr. Suchandt: "In research on artificial intelligence topics, international networking and exchange among researchers is essential. We are pleased that our "basci.net" concept is receiving appropriate recognition and further funding with the DFG prize."

As the project name suggests, "basci.net" also builds a bridge to the THI's transfer activities to society and builds on network projects of the university's Bavarian Center for Applied Research and Technology with Latin America (AWARE). Accordingly, "basci.net" will network with a new partner region each year. For 2021, Brazil has been selected as the partner country for the conference. The University of São Paulo, the Lactec Institute, which is also based in southern Brazil, and the German Science and Innovation House São Paulo will be involved as partners. On the German side, the AI network Artificial Intelligence Network Ingolstadt (AININ) and the innovation platform for the Bavarian economy "Bayern Innovativ" are involved.

The International Research Marketing Ideas Competition is part of the "Research in Germany" initiative. The initiative presents Germany as a location for research and innovation worldwide and creates a forum for international exchange and cooperation. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research initiated "Research in Germany" in 2006 and is providing funding for the current project phase. The initiative is implemented jointly by the German Academic Exchange Service, the DFG, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the DLR Project Management Agency.