The joint research focuses on real challenges - such as the use of generative AI in public authorities, the automated processing of documents or the development of holistic AI strategies for public administration. The joint lab serves as an innovation environment in which research impulses are directly translated into testable applications. This initiative enables mutual enrichment: through the practice-oriented cooperation, DFKI gains further valuable insights into the application possibilities, while PwC Germany can at the same time further develop its expertise in the field of artificial intelligence, which is closely aligned with the international state of research, and transfer it to clients on a project-specific basis.
Overall, the close integration of the complementary skills of both partners means that technologies are developed and applied in a targeted manner where they create the greatest added value. This continuous dialog creates a sustainable cycle from which not only both sides benefit equally, but also the public administration, which gains access to tailor-made solutions and strategies.
An innovative approach to merging research and practice
Becoming a central interface between science and the public sector is the vision that both DFKI and PwC Germany have for the Lab: “The ‘AI for Society’ Lab brings together the best of two worlds: scientific excellence and concrete practical experience,” says Dr. Tobias Franke, Director for AI Technology at PwC Germany. “This enables us not only to remain at the forefront of scientific progress with DFKI, but also to respond directly to the needs of business and society through the practical development of solutions and to integrate AI even more strongly, especially in the public sector.”
Professor Dr. Paul Lukowicz, Scientific Director and Head of the Embedded Intelligence research department at DFKI, summarizes the approaches that are being put into practice in the collaboration as follows: "Our focus is on concrete, tangible results that directly benefit companies and institutions as well as citizens. This collaboration unites consulting, science and implementation in a unique way. For example, AI-supported chatbots are to be developed for the administration that can both support internal employees and provide citizens with intelligent services."
Integrated project work and practical initiatives
In order to intensify the technology transfer between PwC Germany and DFKI, cooperation will take place on several levels. At the scientific level, for example, PwC-relevant research topics will be worked on by DFKI, while at the application level, projects will be carried out jointly under public tender. At the competence level, the lab also promotes practice-relevant initiatives such as the “DFKI x PwC AI Academy”, a training program to pass on knowledge about the latest AI developments to PwC employees. In addition, an AI conference will be organized to bring together decision-makers and experts for an engaging dialogue on current trends and challenges of AI in the public sector.
This comprehensive combination of research and practice will ensure that the solutions developed can be supported and implemented in real projects and that both sides exploit the potential of deep knowledge transfer.
Information about PwC
PwC helps its clients build trust and reinvent themselves. In the PwC network, over 370,000 employees in 149 countries transform complex problems into opportunities and competitive advantages every day. A particular focus is on the public sector: with state-of-the-art technologies and in-depth expertise in the areas of digital transformation, law and consulting, PwC supports the public sector in making itself fit for the future, building trust in change processes and thus actively driving its further development.
In this document, PwC Germany refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL). Each of the member firms of PwCIL is a legally independent company.
The term PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of the legally independent network firms. Further details can be found at www.pwc.com/structure.