KIBU: Learning together for a smart data-enhanced future

We will continue to run the KIBU Community and the associated offers for interested companies beyond the funding period (until the end of 2022). We look forward to hearing from you.

The potential applications of artificial intelligence are expanding rapidly. By seizing and rapidly exploiting the possibilities of AI, this key technology can contribute to maintaining and strengthening the innovative power and competitiveness of the German economy. However, a lack of know-how and skilled workers is seen as an obstacle to the application of AI, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The importance of AI knowledge transfer is high for the Bavarian Lower Main region. Many Lower Franconian SMEs from the automotive and mechatronics and automation sectors are facing strong competitive pressure from China, innovations in the field of electromobility and the pressure of digitalisation. Competition within Germany is also making the situation of SMEs in the Bavarian Lower Main region more difficult. In addition, there is a demographic migration in the area.

The project's initiatives teach practical skills in the field of AI and help reduce barriers to AI application. Additionally, the project promotes a realistic understanding of the potential that AI offers in business practices. Participants are encouraged to bring the knowledge they have gained back to their workplaces, enhancing their own skills and, in turn, boosting local empolyment opportunities.

Planned applications of the project are:

• Practical implementation of AI for product development (such as for the development of new components and input factors)
• Process optimisation (such as optimising the use of resources)
• Use of intelligent processes for increasing sustainability

Different instruments of knowledge transfer are applied in the project. The knowledge transfer consists of active and passive paths. The active path promotes a focused, in-depth dialogue on relevant AI knowledge, tailored specifically to local businesses. It consists of:

• Network meetings: To assess participants' needs, engage in direct dialogue, and discuss current project developments.
• Application-based workshops: For practical, immediately applicable knowledge transfer.
• Online learning units: Four AI blended Leanrning courses as asynchronous learning modules.
• Open AI consultation: A platform for advisory services and the opportunity to ask individual, in-depth questions on AI topics.

The asynchronous passive pathways include the use of an online AI news portal with regionally relevant AI content, as well as an AI newsletter.

• Online news portal: A web portal featuring AI news of particular relevance to the concerns of SMEs in the Bavarian Lower Main region.
• KI newsletter: Sent monthly with updates on project activites and news from the KIBU project.