AI Made in Bremen: Our Contribution to a National AI Strategy

May 20, 2025

We, the member institutions of the U Bremen Research Alliance (UBRA), aim to actively contribute to the further development of the AI ecosystem in Germany.

This joint declaration is prompted by the resolution adopted by the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Federal States on March 12, 2025. That resolution emphasizes the central importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Germany’s innovation and competitiveness and calls for the expansion of high-performance regional structures.

Bremen stands for a responsible and socially embedded development and application of AI. Research institutions, universities, and companies in the region promote innovative approaches with a clear focus on Open Science, sustainability, and democratic values. We wish to express our agreement with the states’ resolution: what is needed are strategic investments in existing structures, the expansion of open platforms, and support for joint innovation initiatives between academia, industry, and society.

Even today, excellent research initiatives, transfer structures, and data spaces are closely connected in Bremen, working to realize the potential of AI in the spirit of democracy, diversity, and openness. In support of the national AI strategy, we aim to continue providing strategic and sustainable contributions—as a model region for trustworthy AI, a location for sustainable digital infrastructure, and a hub for open, interdisciplinary knowledge transfer.

Bremen’s Strength: Interdisciplinary AI Research in a Strong Network

The state of Bremen has developed into a location for interdisciplinary AI research with a societal focus, based on long-standing expertise, strong networks, and research excellence. Of particular note is the role of the University of Bremen, which, together with partner institutions in the U Bremen Research Alliance – such as the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI Bremen), the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Medicine MEVIS, and the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS – makes a significant contribution to AI research, AI education, and responsible, human-centered AI applications. With the High Profile Area “Minds, Media, Machines” (MMM), the DFG Collaborative Research Center EASE, and the ERDF-funded IT infrastructure project Biosignals-HUB for Human-Centered AI, a solid foundation for scientific excellence has been established. This is complemented by academic centers at the University of Bremen, such as the Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI) and the Data Science Center (DSC), as well as two DFG-funded AI Research Groups ­– LifespanAI and ComAI – which conduct fundamental research on emerging and innovative topics in AI. The DFKI Bremen contributes significantly to the visibility and development of the site with its internationally recognized Robotics Innovation Center and its Cyber-Physical Systems Department. Two UBRA members – the DFKI Robotics Innovation Center and the university’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence – are also founding members of the Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), which aims to consolidate expertise in AI-based robotics at the national level. The UBRA as a whole strengthens interdisciplinary research, knowledge transfer, and inter-institutional collaboration through its Lead Projects in Artificial Intelligence, data science, and research data management, as well as through its peer-to-peer AI network.

Developing AI Competencies: Education, Training, and Supporting Talent

The education, training, and support of emerging AI talent is a central element of Bremen’s AI ecosystem. Structured programs such as the DFG Research Training Groups CAUSE, HEARAZ, and KD2School, as well as the state-funded AI Center for Health Care, connect doctoral researchers in interdisciplinary teams and promote scientific collaboration in the region.

The international Master's program “Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems” at the University of Bremen attracts AI talent from around the world. Additional degree programs – from Medical Technologies at the University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven, to Digital Media (offered jointly by the University of Bremen and the University of the Arts Bremen), to practice-oriented AI programs at Bremen University of Applied Sciences, and the graduate program Data Train – Training in Research Data Management and Data Science (jointly run within UBRA) – offer a wide range of research-oriented teaching opportunities in dynamic areas of application.

This educational landscape contributes to a stable foundation with a commitment to promoting future-ready, values-based AI development in Germany and Europe.

Model Region for Trustworthy AI: Open Science, Transfer, and Societal Benefit

Human-centered, values-based AI development requires open structures, collaborative science, and responsible handling of data and technologies. In Bremen, Open Science is not only a methodological approach but a lived research principle that consistently promotes access to knowledge and societal participation in technological development.

Research institutions such as the Virtual Research and Training Building (ViB), the LabLinking Facilities, and the Biosignals-HUB for Human-Centered AI create environments in which research findings do not remain isolated but are actively shared, further developed, and translated into collaborative innovation processes. Bremen also demonstrates clear strength in regional networking: through initiatives such as DataNord, involvement in the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), and activities within the GAIA-X framework, the development of interoperable data spaces is being advanced to facilitate and ensure long-term access to trustworthy AI for both business and society.

This Open Science culture is complemented by application-oriented institutions such as the Center for Computing Technologies (TZI) at the University of Bremen, which specifically supports the transfer of AI research into real-world applications. DIGITAL HUB INDUSTRY also promotes the implementation of innovative technologies in the regional economy and strengthens startup activity in the field of data-driven innovation. With further initiatives such as #MOIN – Model Region for Industrial Mathematics – Bremen is pursuing a consistent, holistic approach that places the interfaces between science, business, and society at the center.

This serves as an example of how open research, sustainable transfer, and societal benefit can effectively interact.

Sustainable AI Infrastructures as a Basis for Responsible Innovation

A forward-looking national AI strategy requires digital infrastructures that align ecological, social, and economic sustainability. Bremen is pursuing this path in a consistent and institutionally anchored manner.

In 2025, the University of Bremen committed to a new sustainability strategy that goes beyond energy issues: in all areas—from research and teaching to transfer and campus operations—it combines ecological responsibility with social inclusion, scientific openness, and technological innovation.

Bremen is already operating initial sustainable computing infrastructures, such as the University’s Green IT Housing Center. Regional assets – wind energy, access to developable land, and sustainable cooling options – offer favorable conditions for the expansion of energy-efficient data centers. Combined with the region’s strong Open Science culture, this creates an environment in which resource-efficient, responsible AI systems can be researched, developed, and applied.

We seek to establish pilot projects for sustainable IT and AI infrastructure in cooperation with the federal and state governments – as real-world laboratories for a digital future that is ecologically viable, socially accepted, and economically scalable.

Human-Centered AI Serving Democracy, Diversity, and Open-Mindedness

We are committed to contributing Bremen’s expertise to strengthening technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe. Close collaboration with key stakeholders from research, industry, and politics is essential in promoting AI development that places the societal and democratic dimensions of a values-based, human-centered approach to AI at its core.

With Bremen hosting the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence IJCAI-ECAI 2026, the next step is being taken to further increase Germany’s and Bremen’s international visibility in the field of Artificial Intelligence – grounded in openess, diversity, and both scientific and societal responsibility.

Contact

Derk H. Schönfeld
Managing Director, U Bremen Research Alliance
Email: derk.schoenfeld@vw.uni-bremen.de
Phone: +49 (0)421 218 60019

Prof. Dr. Tanja Schultz
Co-Spokesperson, High Profile Area “Minds, Media, Machines” at the University of Bremen
Co-Spokesperson, Lead Project Artificial Intelligence of the U Bremen Research Alliance
Email: tanja.schultz@uni-bremen.de
Phone: +49 (0)421 218 64270