In a virtual inauguration event, the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) network welcomed new regional network units. One of BIFOLD’s Directors, Prof. Dr. Klaus-Robert Müller, presented the AI research network in Berlin as well as BIFOLD’s approach of combining Machine Learning and Big Data research.
The European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS) aims to strengthen Machine Learning research across Europe by creating European research hotspots and higher education programs, connecting researchers and fostering knowledge transfer to the industry.
In April this year, a new ELLIS unit was established at Technische Universität Berlin, following a request by one of BIFOLD’s directors and head of Machine Learning group at TU Berlin, Prof. Dr. Klaus-Robert Müller, and other researchers. By now ELLIS comprises 30 research units in 14 different countries. In a virtual event on September 15, 2020, all units were inaugurated and given the opportunity to present their regional research focus.
In his function as director of ELLIS Berlin, Prof Dr. Klaus-Robert Müller presented the strengths of Machine Learning and AI research in Berlin. As the very unique feature he stressed the importance of research at the intersection of Machine Learning and Big Data in Berlin’s AI competence Center.
„It is time to rethink Machine Learning and database management systems to really connect them if we want to go to the next level of processing high amounts of data. And this is what we do here – from the theoretical and also from the practical side.”
Prof. Dr. Klaus-Robert Müller
As part of the theoretical focus, Prof. Müller highlighted core research activities in Explainable AI, Deep Learning and Scalable Machine Learning. But application-oriented research is also of great importance in Berlin’s competence centers. For example, research is concentrated on Machine Learning in quantum chemistry, medicine and even digital humanities. In addition to close networking with regional and national research competencies, the ELLIS unit Berlin and the Berlin competence centers maintain good contacts in Berlin’s flourishing start-up scene.
A recording of Prof. Müller’s presentation is available here: https://ellis.eu/units/berlin