The "KI-Kompass Inklusiv" project aims to use digitization and AI to develop new assistance options for working and learning as well as to overcome everyday barriers. KI-Kompass Inklusiv builds on the results of the predecessor project KI.ASSIST, which analyzed and evaluated AI applications as elements of a socio-technical working and learning space for severely disabled people in vocational rehabilitation. The follow-up project KI-Kompass is composed of the thematic pillars monitoring, practical laboratories and consulting and puts a special focus on the participation of people with disabilities.
The kick-off event, which was attended by around 100 participants, featured a varied program. After thematic lectures in the morning, the focal points of the project were discussed in the afternoon in a World Café format. Through the interdisciplinary perspectives of the participants, the project team gained valuable impulses for the project activities.
During a panel talk with Jun. Prof. Dr. Liane Bächler (University of Cologne), Dr. Leila Mekacher (SRH Berufsbildungswerk Neckargemünd), Frank Schrapper (BIH e.V.) and
Prof. Dr. Niels Pinkwart from DFKI Berlin highlighted the potentials of inclusive AI assistance technologies. As the sustainable benefit of the project is an important concern, an early stabilization and institutionalization of the project results are essential. Thus, the overarching goal is knowledge transfer and exchange about the benefits of AI for the common good.
A documentation of the event can be found here.
As consortium leader, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), together with the project partners Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Berufsbildungswerke (BAG BBW), Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (BAG WfbM) and Bundesverband Deutscher Berufsförderungswerke (BV BFW), will establish the "Competence Center for AI-supported Assistance Technologies and Inclusion in the World of Work" until 2027.
The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is funding the project with more than 5 million euros from the equalization fund for supraregional projects for the participation of severely disabled people in working life.