User Group: Journalist

  • Petra Olschowski visits University of Stuttgart

    Petra Olschowski visits University of Stuttgart

    Petra Olschowski, Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts, says: “What I saw today at my alma mater was quite impressive and a fine example of what the University of Stuttgart stands for: Cutting-edge research, supercomputing with international visibility, and industry collaborations that begin at the undergraduate level. I was impressed by the demonstration in the High Performance Computing Center, which sets Baden-Württemberg apart as a leading digital region. The climate simulation there showed that digitalization can – and will – help us better anticipate and respond to the consequences of human-induced climate change.”

    “We are pleased that Minister Petra Olschowski visited us at her alma mater. We showed her and discussed with her how the University of Stuttgart has developed since she studied Art History and German Studies. As one of the leading technically oriented universities with top international research, we are finding important answers to questions regarding the current transformation in business, society, and higher education. This is particularly important for the future of the technology-strong federal state of Baden-Württemberg,” says Professor Wolfram Ressel, Rector of the University of Stuttgart.

    During her inaugural visit, Minister of Science Petra Olschowski gained insights into the two ongoing clusters of excellence. “Data-integrated simulation science” aims at a new class of modeling and computational methods given the large amount of data currently available from various sources. The Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture” uses the full potential of digital technologies in order to rethink design and construction and to enable groundbreaking innovations for building creation through a systematic, holistic, and integrative computer-based approach.

    Supercomputer Hawk at the HRLS

    At the High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS), Olschowski visited the Hawk supercomputer, one of the fastest in the world. Hawk is optimized to provide high performance computing power for complex simulations. For example, the HLRS received the Hyperion HPC Innovation Award for regular intensive care bed prediction during the Corona pandemic and collaboration with the Federal Institute for Population Research. Especially in crisis situations, it is necessary to quickly support a political decision with the help of simulations. For this purpose, the experts at the HLRS create concepts in order to be able to quickly and efficiently use their high-performance computing infrastructure.

    In the CAVE at the HLRS, Olschowski immersed herself in a virtual world. In the CAVE cube, users can view and interact with complex data sets and simulations using 3D glasses. The scientists showed Olschowski a current climate simulation that makes global effects visible as well as simulations of a femoral neck implant that allow conclusions to be drawn about its suitability for a particular patient.

    ARENA2036: University and industry under one roof

    At ARENA2036, Olschowski was given insights into the research campus, where scientists from the University of Stuttgart work together with experts from industry to research important future topics such as work, mobility, and production in the context of digitalization. Emphasis is also placed on entrepreneurship and student involvement in research projects. The student team of CreatorBox2036 presented their fully automated 3D printing system that anyone can use in ARENA2036. Print jobs can be submitted via a website, and production is then started fully automatically on a free 3D printer. Another stop was Design Factory Stuttgart, an open hands-on platform for industry partners and students designed to strengthen innovative potential. This platform offers learning formats and workshops focused on new cross-organizational innovation methods and formats.

    Olschowski talked with students from the student council stuvus as well as with students participating in the School for Talents, a program for high-achieving students offered by the University of Stuttgart. In this program, they can engage in interdisciplinary activities and develop and implement various projects. Thus, the Stuttgarter Weg (Stuttgart Way), the guiding principle of networked disciplines, is lived out during studies at the University of Stuttgart. For example, last semester, students implemented self-initiated projects on artificial intelligence and science communication as part of Cyber Valley, the largest AI research consortium in Europe.

     

    Media contact:

    Communications University of Stuttgart
    +49 711 685 82211
    hkom@uni-stuttgart.de

  • Foundation stone laid for new Cyber Valley building

    Foundation stone laid for new Cyber Valley building

    “Cutting-edge research is part of our country’s DNA,” said Finance Minister Dr. Danyal Bayaz. “We are creating an innovative building for innovative technologies in the field of artificial intelligence. We want to tap sources of future prosperity. Cyber Valley is a great example of that.”

    Science State Secretary Petra Olschowski added: “Excellent research on artificial intelligence will take place in the new Cyber Valley building. And the Cyber Valley ecosystem is growing and thriving – more and more AI activities are being added. The new building will provide the much-needed space to accommodate these initiatives. In the Cyber Valley I research building, AI scientists from the University of Tübingen and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems will interact with Cyber Valley business partners, junior groups and startups – an inspiring coexistence of young talents and experienced researchers. The research topics cover a broad spectrum in the fields of machine learning, computer vision and robotics.”

    Construction work on the new Cyber Valley I building, located on the western edge of the “Science and Technology Park,” began back in January. This will be the first time that Cyber Valley on the “Obere Viehweide” in Tübingen will have purpose-built space to provide a home for artificial intelligence (AI) research. The new building will be available to part of the university’s computer science department and the research groups of Cyber Valley, a consortium of science and business. The building will house approximately 7,000 square meters of office space, laboratories, lecture halls, seminar rooms and a conference area, among other facilities. Large accessible experimental laboratories are located at ground level.

    The five-story new building will form a building ensemble with the planned second construction phase and a common open-air area. The new building is a prelude to the targeted expansion of the Cyber Valley innovation campus, which celebrated its successful fifth anniversary in December 2021. Planning for the next two construction phases is already underway.

    The state is investing around 55.8 million euros in the new building. The building is scheduled to be ready by the end of 2024.


    Mayor Boris Palmer, State Secretary Petra Olschowski, Finance Minister Dr. Danyal Bayaz, Prof. Bernhard Schölkopf, Prof. Bernd Engler, Andreas Hölting (Head of the Property and Construction Office; from left) © Friedhelm Albrecht/Universität Tübingen

    “In recent years, Cyber Valley has developed into one of the world’s most important research locations for artificial intelligence,” said Professor Bernd Engler, President of the University of Tübingen. “This impressive development is the result of a tremendous effort on the part of the scientists involved, but also of the consistent commitment of the state and federal governments, the companies involved and private donors such as the couple Hans-Werner and Josephine Hector.” In the coming years, he said, the network will have to enter a phase of stabilization and further expansion. “The construction of the first of a total of three Cyber Valley buildings, which is now beginning, will make a significant contribution to this.”

    “Artificial intelligence is changing our world. We founded Cyber Valley to actively shape this change from us in Baden-Württemberg, Germany and Europe,” said Prof. Bernhard Schölkopf, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems. “The new buildings will provide excellent research conditions to further deepen our work both regionally in Cyber Valley and internationally in ELLIS. I thank all those who have worked with foresight to make this happen.”


    Further information:

    Sustainability and resource efficiency are high priorities at the new Cyber Valley campus. For example, extensive use of renewable energy and high energy efficiency are important features of the new Cyber Valley I building, which will feature an extensive green roof and a photovoltaic system. The electricity from the roof and facade photovoltaics will benefit the building’s own power supply.

    In addition to the new Cyber Valley I building, which was approved in 2016, the overall concept for the Tübingen site includes two more new buildings for the Cyber Valley Campus. With the two new buildings Cyber Valley II and III, a total of around 14,800 square meters of additional top AI research space will be created on the campus of the University of Tübingen.

    The AI innovation campus Cyber Valley is a research focus for artificial intelligence and intelligent systems that is unique in Europe. Founded in 2016 in the Stuttgart-Tübingen region, the artificial intelligence research consortium connects partners from politics, business and science.

    Note to editors:

    A visualization of Cyber Valley I can be downloaded from the Ministry of Finance’s media library and used free of charge for editorial purposes with photo credit. Photos of the event can be downloaded here and used free of charge for editorial purposes with the photo credit “Friedhelm Albrecht/Universität Tübingen”.