News Category: News

  • 75 doctoral students join the Cyber Valley Innovation Campus

    75 doctoral students join the Cyber Valley Innovation Campus

    The International Max Planck Research School for Intelligent Systems (IMPRS-IS) has officially concluded its 2025 recruitment round, welcoming 75 new scholars to its esteemed doctoral program. Representing 21 nationalities, the incoming class is the ninth generation of researchers to join the school, reinforcing IMPRS-IS’s position as a hub for global talent in the field of intelligent systems.

    This year’s recruitment process drew remarkable interest, with 888 completed applications submitted from over 70 countries. Following an intensive multi-stage evaluation process involving 128 scientific reviewers, more than 200 candidates were invited to a dynamic nine-day interview symposium. The event featured research presentations, in-depth interviews, and a keynote address by Professor Georg Martius, providing candidates and faculty with an opportunity to connect and collaborate on cutting-edge ideas.

    The selected cohort reflects IMPRS-IS’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, with 32% of the new scholars identifying as female. The program emphasizes scientific excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global perspectives in advancing the frontiers of machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and related fields.

    The new scholars are expected to contribute to the vibrant research environment across the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and its partner institutions, including the University of Tübingen and the University of Stuttgart.

    As the new academic year begins, IMPRS-IS looks forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative work this incoming class will bring to the community.

  • Spiegel Spezial: Cyber Valley in the Neckar Valley

    Spiegel Spezial: Cyber Valley in the Neckar Valley

    Despite certain challenges such as limited venture capital and data availability, Germany benefits from renowned research institutions and the necessary computing power to train AI models. However, to fully capitalize on AI's economic and productivity benefits, the country must focus more on practical applications of the technology. 

    Cyber Valley Public Outreach Manager, Laura Neusser, expresses her personal impression: “Of course, the general tone of the question whether Europe can keep up with the US in AI is a bit tricky, but all interview partners explain the amazing opportunities that can be found in this region." At the end of the article, one sentence summarizes this very well:

    Whether Germany will catch up with the rapid AI development in the USA has yet to be determined. The local AI scene is certainly not lacking in enthusiasm and willingness to innovate.

    Illustrating the vibrancy of Germany’s AI landscape, this quote further highlights the groundbreaking innovations emerging from the region within the Cyber Valley Community: 

    An innovative AI scene is emerging in Germany: the Cyber Valley in the Neckar Valley. Artificial intelligence is conquering the world, and start-ups in Baden-Württemberg are striving to compete in the global market. They are developing remote-controlled heart catheters, AI-generated film music, and agricultural robots.

     

    The Cyber Valley Community

    The article puts the spotlight on the following:

    Meshcapade 
    Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems 
    Tübingen AI Center 
    SPRIND – Bundesagentur für Sprunginnovationen 
    OSORA medical GmbH 
    EndoSurge 
    Max Planck Society 
    Mirelo AI 
    Maddox AI 
    Fraunhofer IPA 
    Fraunhofer IAO 
    KI-Fortschrittszentrum 
    Polybot 

    Check out the article online, or pick up a copy of the January print edition of the Spiegel Spezial at your local store.  

  • IMPRS-IS Call for Applications is Now Open

    IMPRS-IS Call for Applications is Now Open

    This school is a key element of Baden-Württemberg’s Cyber Valley initiative to accelerate basic research and commercial development in artificial intelligence and robotics. The program seeks students who want to earn a doctorate while contributing to world-leading research in areas such as:

     

    •  Artificial Intelligence

    •  Biomedical Technology

    •  Computational Cognitive Science

    •  Computer Vision and Graphics

    •  Control Systems and Optimization

    •  Data Science & Visualization

    •  Haptics and Human-Computer Interaction

    •  Machine Learning

    •  Micro- and Nano-Robotics

    •  Natural Language Processing

    •  Neuroscience

    •  Perceptual Inference

    •  Robotics and Human-Robot Interaction

    •  Soft Robotics and Materials

     

    Intelligent systems that can successfully perceive, act, and learn in complex environments hold great potential for aiding society. The IMPRS-IS program seeks doctoral students who are curious, creative, and passionate about research to join the school and help advance human knowledge about intelligent systems.

    • Admitted students can join the program starting in spring of 2025.

    • You will be mentored by internationally renowned faculty.

    • You will register as a university doctoral student and conduct research.

    • IMPRS-IS offers a wide variety of scientific seminars, workshops, and social activities.

    • All aspects of the program are in English.

    • Your doctoral degree will be conferred when you successfully complete your doctoral project.

    • Dedicated staff members will assist you throughout your time as a doctoral student.

     

    Who can apply?

    People with a strong academic background and a master’s degree (conferred or expected soon) in Engineering, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Mathematics, Control Theory, Neuroscience, Materials Science, Physics, or related fields should apply.

    IMPRS-IS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, gender identity, or any other non-job-related criteria. They believe in the importance of a multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff who seek to advance our commitment to diversity and inclusion. IMPRS-IS strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

    Admission is competitive. If selected, applicants will receive funding via an employment contract, subject to the rules of the Max Planck Society and the two participating universities.  

    You can apply at https://imprs.is.mpg.de/application before 11:59 p.m. (23:59) CET on November 15, 2024. Finalists will be invited to selection interviews that will take place from February 13 to 21, 2025.

    For further information, please visit https://imprs.is.mpg.de.

  • Cyber Valley celebrates the launch of ELLIS Institute Finland

    Cyber Valley celebrates the launch of ELLIS Institute Finland

    The new institute is part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) – a pan-European AI research network that is an important player in the Cyber Valley Community. It will position Finland as a key player in AI, attract international talent, and drive cutting-edge research. This announcement marks a major step towards achieving Cyber Valley’s vision of a closely connected, pan-European AI research network, strengthening Europe’s global standing in AI and machine learning.

    The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has pledged substantial financial backing, committing €10 million annually from 2025 to 2028, in addition to a launch-phase investment of €6 million. Further support comes from the Post Scriptum Foundation, established by Peter Sarlin, CEO and co-founder of Silo AI. Silo AI joined the Cyber Valley Community in June 2024 at Cyber Valley Days. The foundation has pledged an additional €10 million to fund up to 15 professorships at the ELLIS Institute Finland. 

    This ELLIS Institute, which will be based at Aalto University, is the second in the prestigious pan-European ELLIS network, following the establishment of the first institute in Tübingen, Germany, in 2023. Aalto University will lead the initiative in Finland, working collaboratively with other Finnish universities.

    The new institute will build on the achievements of the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI), which currently hosts ELLIS Unit Helsinki—the Finnish node of ELLIS. Professor Samuel Kaski, director of FCAI and ELLIS Unit Helsinki, will play a central role in the development of ELLIS Institute Finland.

    This initiative underlines Finland’s commitment to becoming a major hub for AI research and innovation, leveraging its longstanding expertise to address both local and global challenges through AI-driven solutions.

    Cyber Valley is proud to support and collaborate with ELLIS Institute Finland. Together, we look forward to advancing European AI research, fostering collaborative innovation, and addressing global challenges through the power of intelligent systems. This marks a significant step in uniting Europe’s AI efforts, strengthening our shared goals and vision for a more connected, forward-thinking AI research ecosystem.