About us
The appliedAI is both an initiative and platform as well as a service provider. Learn more about who and what we are.
Initiative for appliedAI
What is appliedAI ?
appliedAI is Germanys largest initiative for the application of AI technology with the vision to lift the whole country into the AI age. appliedAI was formed as a neutral and trustworthy initiative that acts both as a platform and service provider. We take our responsibility in the ecosystem seriously and aim to advance each and every partner to the next level of AI maturity. We work on the technological challenges, both in the application and applied research, from a strategic and innovation standpoint as well as with a perspective on education and people development. Our activities and services are primarily determined by the partners that join the initiative. Our founding partners were among others BMW, Google, Infineon, Linde, NVIDIA, and Siemens.
appliedAI is part of UnternehmerTUM. UnternehmerTUM is one of the largest innovation centers in Europe and a non-profit. As a neutral platform for entrepreneurship and innovation, more than 200 employees serve more than 2500 individuals, >100 startups, and >100 companies per year.
Key facts
2000
AI adopters supported
35
AI systems built
20
AI strategies defined
50
Companies advanced in AI maturity
The core
Our team
We are bringing together the best in artificial intelligence technology, companies, entrepreneurship, and academia to create a unique environment to accelerate the adoption of AI. We are enthusiastic about AI. We care for our values, our society and our global competitiveness in Europe. We ideate, build and apply. We think cross-domain and solve problems. We discuss the implications of AI on society and AI ethics.
What we don’t do, is: slow you down by not recommending the best option (or overpromise), lose the sense for reality, build RPA or standard big-data applications, or develop military solutions

Dr. Miguel de Benito
Senior AI Researcher

Jamie Amarat Sandhu
Junior AI Education Associate

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Our principles
How we work
- Start with “why”, then maximize impact.
We are conscious that our relationship with our partners carries with it an obligation to understand their needs. We ask our partners and ourselves “why?”, to really understand problems and search for where we can have the greatest impact. We are receptive to what we learn, and we focus our actions on where we generate the highest value. - Build shared wisdom.
AI disrupts whole industries and is much more than a technology. We know that great insights and new ideas about AI emerge when different fields and views collide. We embrace building wisdom collectively. - Dream ahead; be playful.
Being at the forefront of AI Technology means having no one to follow, so we hypothesize and invent on principle. We are imagining the future and playing with ideas. We create hypotheses and provide answers before others ask the question. - Make it real; be practical.
It is easy to get lost in the ocean that is AI. Be obsessed with practicality and draw a clear line to application. Innovation happens where theory and ideas translate into real-world applications. Balancing both is our strength and defense. - Strive for great or don’t do it.
Keeping the balance between quantity and quality is hard; we put in the work to identify which things must be great - and make them great. If we can’t, we don’t do them at all. - Practice what you preach, reflect, and adjust.
We do what we recommend to others and follow our own advice. We reflect on the data we have and are honest about what it tells us. We don’t run on autopilot; we are willing to take a step back and adjust our course. Decisions are rarely a one-way street! - Success is never yours alone.
At appliedAI, people care for each other and share both burdens and success. Every person at appliedAI contributes to every success. There are no exceptions. - Have backbone; disagree, then commit.
When challenges emerge we don't turn a blind eye to them, whether they are internal or external. We raise them; we welcome debate and disagreement. Once arguments are exchanged and a decision is made, we commit wholly. - Lead by example. Everyone is a leader.
Leading means taking responsibility and being accountable to your team and other leaders. Leaders earn trust by consistently setting an example through their actions. - Excellence is people; develop and invest.
We strive for excellence - and it all starts with people. We invest the time and resources to develop our team and ourselves. We support every team member to continuously learn and develop. We challenge our own thoughts, sharpen our skills, stay informed, and ask for advice a lot. We search for, hire and retain the best.

appliedAI is creating a strong AI ecosystem in Germany, featuring prominent industry, technology, and research players. As the leader in AI, NVIDIA is excited to support appliedAI’s initiatives and help drive the adoption of ground-breaking technology.
Jaap Zuiderveld, Vice President EMEA at NVIDIA