With a new generation of fundamental AI models, we are tackling a number of major challenges in science. We are making the results available to society as open source, from the code to the training data to the trained models. The goal of the Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative (HFMI) is to develop four fully functional models.  And this is just the beginning.

Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative (HFMI) - Website
Briefing: Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative (PDF)
Pilot projects

Complex AI applications such as foundation models are not possible without the computing power of supercomputers. Helmholtz has these supercomputers and makes them available to the research community. The first European exascale computer at Forschungszentrum Jülich plays a key role in this. The supercomputer breaks the barrier of 1 trillion calculations per second - that's a 1 with 18 zeros.

JUPITER - Exascale in Europe

In the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Framework, we bring together experts in digitization topics such as supercomputing, complex data sets and their analysis, IT services and applied AI in a structure that is unique in Germany. Key elements are the biannual incubator workshop and the five platforms: Helmholtz Federated IT Services (HIFIS), Helmholtz Imaging, Helmholtz Information and Data Academy (HIDA), Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC) and Helmholtz AI. The platforms offer expert advice in the field of information and data science to all researchers in the Helmholtz Association and serve the community-wide exchange of technology and expertise. Helmholtz AI plays a central role in this and supports the Helmholtz Association on its way to becoming an international leader in the field of applied AI and machine learning.

Helmholtz AI

Helmholtz AI Experts

Are you looking for experts in the field of artificial intelligence? Across 18 research centers and more than six research fields, the Helmholtz Association has an extensive network of experts who conduct research with or on artificial intelligence.

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Impact stories

  • Information

    Chemist Ágnes Tóth-Petróczy studies disordered proteins. It’s clear that these proteins play a role in the development of diseases – and she and her research group are now working to uncover exactly…

  • Information

    The world’s leading AI models – also known as frontier models – are currently being developed in the US and China. Christian Cyron and Jenia Jitsev explain why this situation entails significant risks…

  • Energy

    The ASCEND project aims to accelerate the development of new catalysts for the production of sustainable chemicals and renewable fuels. Instead of relying on years of experimental trial and error, it…

  • Information

    The Helmholtz Foundation Model Initiative (HFMI), launched two years ago, supports AI projects focused on processing enormous amounts of data. In this interview, AI expert Dagmar Kainmueller offers an…

  • Health

    Gender-specific deficiencies in medicine are well known, but remain unaddressed. Ângela Gonçalves of the German Cancer Research Center works in an area that has long been overlooked.

  • Health

    A recent WHO report shows that multi-resistant germs are a massive threat—but researchers are developing new counterstrategies.

How can AI improve the way patients are treated?

Contact

Dr. Christine Mieck

Chief Research Manager Information
Helmholtz Association

Dr. Michael Schmuker

Head of Unit Information and Data Science
Helmholtz Association

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