December 16, 2024
Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is recognized as one of Germany's leading AI research hubs, recently featured in Handelsblatt's AI Atlas. The Atlas highlights Fraunhofer HHI scientists Prof. Wojciech Samek and Dr. Sebastian Lapuschkin among the top AI researchers in Germany. The ranking is based on registered AI-related patents since 2017, relevant publications since 2020, and citations in scientific articles referencing their work.
Fraunhofer HHI focuses on the theoretical and algorithmic foundations of machine learning, develops innovative deep learning models, and applies these AI processes in practical settings. A central area of focus is “Explainable Artificial Intelligence” (XAI).
“With our XAI research, we aim to develop better AI models—ones that not only identify problems but also provide solutions,” says Prof. Wojciech Samek, head of the department at Fraunhofer HHI. “For AI applications and start-ups to succeed, models must be transparent in their decision-making. They must also adopt strategies that align with human expectations and thought processes.”
Over the past decade, Prof. Samek has established Fraunhofer HHI as a global leader in Explainable AI. In 2022, his contributions were recognized with his appointment as a professor for Machine Learning and Communication at Technische Universität (TU) Berlin. As a Fellow of BIFOLD - Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data - he emphasizes the importance of collaboration between Fraunhofer HHI, TU Berlin, and BIFOLD. Prof. Samek also contributes his XAI expertise to several national and international initiatives aimed at testing and certifying AI technologies.
Dr. Sebastian Lapuschkin has led the Explainable Artificial Intelligence research group at Fraunhofer HHI since 2021. Along with his team, he has set new standards with pioneering developments such as “Concept Relevance Propagation” (CRP) and Prototypical “Concept-based Explanations” (PCX).
“In addition to advancing research, fostering young talent is a top priority for us,” says Dr. Lapuschkin. “Our goal is to strengthen Fraunhofer HHI's position as a global leader in AI research. That’s why we actively support emerging talent and explore forward-looking topics such as physics-informed neural networks.”