ELLIS stands for “European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems.” Founded in 2018, this pan-European network of excellence brings together leading institutions in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and promotes, in particular, basic research on machine learning. With Hamburg and the new locations on the Côte d’Azur, in Innsbruck, Ireland, and Norway, ELLIS is expanding to 49 units.

The ELLIS unit in Hamburg brings together the expertise of the five institutions. Its research profile encompasses five areas: fundamentals of machine learning, cognitive systems and cyber-physical systems, climate research, physics, and biomedical sciences.

Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, president of the University of Hamburg: “At the University of Hamburg, researchers across disciplines—from climate research to physics to neuroscience—utilize machine learning methods. Together with four Hamburg-based partners, the ELLIS Unit will make us part of one of Europe’s leading networks for AI research. In the future, our researchers—especially doctoral candidates and postdocs—will be able to collaborate even more closely with colleagues throughout Europe.”

Prof. Dr. Nihat Ay, Director and PI of the ELLIS Unit Hamburg, Head of the Institute for Data Science Foundations, University of Hamburg: “The importance of machine learning for engineering is steadily increasing. Traditional approaches based on detailed mechanistic models and digital twins are increasingly being supplemented by machine learning methods or replaced in certain application areas. These often enable more efficient and resource-efficient solutions. The basic research required for this is a central focus of the TUHH initiative ‘Machine Learning in Engineering.’ The ELLIS Unit Hamburg offers excellent opportunities to further expand these research activities and to strengthen networking and collaboration—both with the partners of the ELLIS Unit Hamburg and with other ELLIS Units across Europe.”

Prof. Dr. Beate Heinemann, Chair of the DESY Board of Directors: “In Hamburg, machine learning and science come together in a unique way. The research infrastructures at DESY and the international experiments in which we participate generate enormous amounts of highly complex data. Analyzing this data is virtually unthinkable without intelligent algorithms. AI helps us analyze this data more quickly and gain new insights. It also makes accelerator processes more efficient, thereby increasing scientific productivity. The ELLIS Unit Hamburg further strengthens the connections between our existing expertise and partners in Hamburg and throughout Europe. At the same time, it makes the location even more attractive to young talent from around the world.”

Prof. Dr. Stefano Panzeri, Director and PI of the ELLIS Unit Hamburg, Head of the Institute for Neural Information Processing, UKE: “Machine learning offers enormous opportunities for medical research and care. It helps us better understand complex data, gain new insights into the brain and its disorders, and improve diagnostics and therapy. To achieve this, AI research, biomedical science, and clinical practice must work closely together. With the ELLIS Unit Hamburg, we are creating the prerequisites to jointly develop innovative AI solutions and make them available more quickly for the benefit of people’s health.”

Prof. Dr. Klaus Beckmann, president of Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg: “Artificial intelligence is transforming not only science but also the way we live, work, and make decisions. Its development must therefore not be solely a matter of technical capability. We must understand how intelligent systems arrive at their results, where their limitations lie, and how they can be used responsibly for the benefit of society. This requires basic research and collaboration across disciplines and institutions. With the ELLIS Unit Hamburg, we are combining this collaboration with a clear mission: We want to empower young scientists to pursue their own research questions, build international networks, and advance the development of intelligent systems in a critical and proactive manner.”

Shared Expertise for International Research

Prof. Dr. Nihat Ay (TUHH) and Prof. Dr. Stefano Panzeri (UKE) serve as scientific directors. Dr. Katrin Schöning-Stierand from the Hub of Computing and Data Science (HCDS/University of Hamburg) coordinates the unit. The scientific team includes 13 principal investigators from the five partner institutions. At the University of Hamburg (UHH), the researchers are Prof. Dr. Johanna Baehr, Prof. Dr. Chris Biemann, Prof. Dr. Gregor Kasieczka, Prof. Dr. Anne Lauscher, Prof. Dr. Nicolas Schuck, and Prof. Dr. Frank Steinicke. Prof. Dr. Nihat Ay and Prof. Dr. Annika Eichler, who also works at DESY, cover the Technical University of Hamburg. Prof. Dr. Martin Burger is participating on behalf of DESY. Prof. Dr. Stefano Panzeri, Prof. Dr. Cristina Becchio, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Bonn are affiliated with the UKE. Prof. Dr. Oliver Niggemann is participating on behalf of Helmut Schmidt University/University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg.

As part of the ELLIS network, researchers gain access to international collaborations, thematic research programs, and funding opportunities for doctoral candidates and postdocs. The Hamburg unit builds on the collaboration within the “PIER PLUS” action area “Computing and Data Science.” It aims to deepen cooperation within the Hamburg Metropolitan Region, expand exchanges with other ELLIS locations and European research programs, and make Hamburg more attractive to international scientific talent.

Knowledge transfer to the general public is also planned: The “ligeti zentrum” and the Körber Foundation support cultural outreach. Plans include an ELLIS lecture series and initiatives that make machine learning tangible through artistic approaches.

(This content has been translated automatically.)