10 million euros for AI research | Hamburg Business
The German and state governments have allocated EUR 10.3 million for AI research at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research/Hans-Bredow Institut (HBI) at the University of Hamburg (HBI) from 2026 to 2029. This decision was made by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) in Cologne on Friday, November 22, 2024. The announcement will support research on social media and AI technologies like bots, search engines, and automatic language processing.
Support from Katharina Fegebank
Katharina Fegebank, Senator for Science, Research, and Equality, emphasized the importance of the research conducted at HBI. She stated, "Instagram, TikTok, Chat GPT or Google Translate – the HBI is dedicated to topics that we urgently need to understand better as politicians and as a society."
The positive evaluation from the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) recognized HBI for its scientific quality, supra-regional importance, and structural relevance. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz, Director of HBI, highlighted the need to investigate technical architectures of platforms and AI applications, as well as new knowledge generation formats to enhance communication for democracy, knowledge, and social cohesion.
Hamburg's Role in Media Research
The funding not only supports AI research but also underlines Hamburg's significance in media research. Fegebank emphasized that HBI's contributions are crucial to Hamburg as a media hub and to media research across Germany. The institute's basic budget will see a permanent increase of EUR 3.3 million from 2030 onwards.
Additionally, the research at HBI will focus on analyzing the impacts of AI technologies on society and improving media literacy among the public. This initiative aligns with the institute's commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding in the digital age.
Future Prospects
With the substantial funding secured, HBI is poised to make significant contributions to AI research, shaping the future of media interactions and technological advancements. The interdisciplinary approach adopted by the institute aims to foster innovation and drive progress in the field of AI and media studies.
