Background

Applications based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) are breaking new ground in research and industry. At the same time, they present challenges that society and policymakers must acknowledge and address. Universities can help here because their expertise spans multiple disciplines, allowing them to evaluate new developments from multiple perspectives. They can lay out the opportunities and benefits of AI, dispel unfounded concerns, and inform about actual risks and dangers. To fulfill this role and drive AI research, universities require appropriate infrastructure and equipment.

Goal and Challenges

The main goal of the current project is to establish an AI real-world laboratory. It will serve as an environment where AI tools for different application areas can be developed and tested under realistic conditions. This approach allows for a thorough analysis of the weaknesses, effects, and benefits of new solutions.

A high-performing AI laboratory must be both flexible and scalable to adapt to growing demands. As AI technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday workflows, it is essential to gather feedback from users and develop solutions that meet their needs. In addition, a testbed—such as the one provided by the laboratory—enables the use of sensitive data (e.g.,  from the healthcare sector or IT security research) in a protected environment. Finally, the laboratory offers an ideal setting to test new teaching concepts and design courses that incorporate the latest developments.

Results

An AI laboratory at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten opens up new avenues for integrating AI into teaching and research. It lays the foundation for working with state-of-the-art AI applications, conducting cutting-edge research, and developing innovative solutions to address current and future challenges. By the end of the project, demonstrators, prototypes, and example applications will be available. They will be concrete examples of what is possible to accomplish with AI and can serve as starting point for further developments.