Heilbronn to become a centre for artificial intelligence
Europe’s largest AI campus is being built in Baden-Württemberg, with an investment of around 3 billion euros planned.
Heilbronn (dpa) – Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Baden-Württemberg’s premier Winfried Kretschmann have launched a pioneering AI project unlike any other in the country. Covering some 30 hectares – the equivalent of around 42 football pitches – the circular „Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence“ (IPAI) is taking shape in Heilbronn.
“This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our country’s potential,” said Merz, stressing that Germany had to become more technologically self-reliant.
The new campus is set to become Europe’s largest innovation park for artificial intelligence, offering space for up to 5,000 employees. The total investment is estimated at around 3 billion euros. The main investor is the Schwarz Group – owner of Lidl and Kaufland – supported by the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Dieter Schwarz Foundation.
According to the operators, more than 80 partner companies are already on board, including SAP, Deutsche Telekom, Porsche, Stihl, Würth and Vodafone. The project is seen as part of Europe’s wider effort to strengthen its position in the global AI race against the US and China.
