MISSION KI – National Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Data Economy
MISSION KI – National Initiative for Artificial Intelligence and Data Economy is a project of acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, funded in the amount of €32 million by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The project aims to strengthen digital competitiveness and, as a key project of the digital strategy, serves two of the fields of action: it supports the development of uniform standards and improves the availability and findability of data.
Pillar – 1
Improving the data foundation for AI
We support the interoperability of data spaces across sectors and national borders, thereby improving the exchange and use of data for new AI innovations. We develop open source products and services that ensure the discoverability, use and sharing of data across data spaces. These solutions are tested in data spaces – for example, the Mobility Data Space – and are designed to be used flexibly by other stakeholders.
Pillar – 2
Strengthening the development of trustworthy AI
By developing a voluntary, practical AI quality standard, we ensure the quality and trustworthiness of AI without inhibiting innovation. The aim is to create competitive advantages for AI providers, strengthen reliability for AI operators, and increase user confidence in AI. Through our AI Innovation & Quality Centers, founders, start-ups, and SMEs receive tailor-made support in the development of trustworthy AI “Made in Germany”. These centers also feature interactive exhibition spaces designed to make AI more accessible and understandable for the wider public.
Pillar – 3
Supporting the growth of AI Innovations
We develop tools to accelerate both the transfer of strong AI research into practice and the growth of outstanding AI innovations. With the AI Founder Fellowship, MISSION KI is launching an innovative start-up program that builds the crucial bridge between cutting-edge research and successful start-ups. MISSION KI also strategically links AI start-ups and SMEs. Based on an identification of the particular innovation needs of SMEs, we work with our partners to match them with suitable developers. This fosters long-term collaborations and delivers mutual benefits for both sides.
I want to strengthen the development of artificial intelligence in Germany. And for this, we need a reasonable regulation of AI in Europe. One that is open to innovation instead of technology bans, and with standards that can be integrated on an international level. At the same time, we must also create better conditions for digital innovations in our country. The project MISSION KI aims at supporting the development of high-quality AI products. ‘AI made in Germany’ can become a global competitive advantage if we make it easier for our domestic AI companies to bring to market high-quality, secure and high-performing AI applications.
Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport
MISSION KI aims to create the foundation and growth opportunities for trusting and competitive “AI made in Germany”. The result has to be feasible, reasonable and scalable, and shall support an AI ecosystem of trust and excellence in Europe. Being a leader (also in terms of regulations) means enabling opportunities, taking risks, learning and quickly adapting – while finding a fair balance between innovations and regulations. And to achieve this, we are bringing together the best partners, with the AI Quality & Testing Hub, CertifAI, Fraunhofer IAIS, PwC Germany, the TÜV AI Lab and the VDE. Together, they are leveraging their comprehensive expertise. Welcome aboard MISSION KI!
Manfred Rauhmeier, acatech Managing Director and Member of the Management Board
Germany and the European Union must achieve strategic sovereignty by equally strengthening security, resilience and sustainability . This in turn requires digital change that is economically successful and beneficial to society. Our continent has a strong research base, a diverse industrial landscape and highly educated people brimming with ideas. Data spaces are creating infrastructures for a fair exchange of data. We want to build on that. We want to create trust and foster cooperation so that we get quicker at the utilisation of data and at the scaling of new business models.
Jan Wörner, acatech President
Fundamentals of the project
1. What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) concerns systems and algorithms that are able to replicate the cognitive abilities of humans. These abilities include learning, the processing of information, decision-making and problem-solving. AI systems can be based on large volumes of data to identify patterns and contexts and make decisions. They can also be based on rules and logic to simulate human thinking and action. AI systems are generally trained using statistical methods and machine learning to improve their skills. AI technology is employed in various use cases, such as in the automation of processes, in image and speech recognition, in medical diagnostics and in robotics. The possibilities and use cases of artificial intelligence are almost endless and progress on these fronts will continue to be made in future. For example, the picture beneath the title of this page was generated using AI – such possibilities support creativity and work processes but also entail new risks such as the risk of deep fakes.
You can read more about this term and its origins here (in German).
2. What is a data space?
A data space is a federated (decentralised), open infrastructure for the sovereign exchange of data based on common arrangements, rules and standards. It enables companies and public institutions to share data safely and on an equal footing without having to relinquish sovereignty over their data. Thanks to the decentralised structure, consumers and companies themselves determine their contractual partners and terms of contract; that is, the extent, duration, purpose and partners involved in the sharing of data.
Control is thus gained and competence built up, which in turn enhances the sovereignty of market players. Ultimately, this also strengthens the European digital economy and, with that, the geopolitical sovereignty of Europe.
The EU and Germany want to reduce dependence on major digital platforms and cement Europe’s digital sovereignty. Thus, data spaces are currently being created in sectors such as healthcare, environment, energy, finance and agriculture. acatech is the lead on the pilot projects Mobility Data Space (MDS) (in German) and Culture Data Space (in German), which are already under way.
Data spaces promote innovation and fair competition:
Data spaces increase equal access to data for companies, public institutions and researchers
They support collaborations and synergy between various stakeholders, such as companies, research institutions and government agencies
They lower the barriers to market entry for small and medium-sized enterprises
They enhance trust between users and companies thanks to transparent data security
The analysis of information in data spaces facilitates personalised solutions
They improve the forecasting of and adaptation to industry trends and market changes
