Yesterday evening, Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space; Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy and Deputy Minister-President, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kramer, Vice President of the Technical University of Munich, toured the new Fraunhofer IKS building in Garching. Institute Director Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mario Trapp also briefed them on the institute’s core research areas.

In the Living Lab on the ground floor of the new building, guests attended presentations on the reliable deployment of AI agents and safe person and object detection – technologies particularly relevant to sectors such as industrial manufacturing. Selected examples from quantum computing illustrated how quantum computers could be used effectively as part of larger technical systems in the future.

Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space: “A spirit of pioneering and excellence – this is what the new building at Fraunhofer IKS in Garching embodies. It is becoming a globally recognized hub for the development of trustworthy AI ‘Made in Germany.’ Through its groundbreaking research at this location, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is driving forward tangible innovations that will make a significant contribution to Germany’s technological sovereignty and competitiveness. This is entirely in line with the High-Tech Agenda Germany!”

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy: “Artificial intelligence is a key technology for the value creation of the future. To fulfill this role, AI must be not only powerful but also reliable and safe. This is precisely where Fraunhofer IKS focuses its research on ‘Safe Intelligence.’ With this new institute building, we are establishing an optimal environment for research, innovation, and collaboration with the business sector. This is how we strengthen the technological sovereignty and competitiveness of Bavaria as a hub for innovation.”

“Artificial intelligence will only become an economic success if we can safely harness the opportunities it presents. To achieve this, we need brilliant minds and research that bridges the gap between technological expertise and practical application. Fraunhofer IKS makes a vital contribution here by investigating how intelligent software and artificial intelligence can be designed safely and integrated reliably into real-world applications,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. “With this new institute building, we are not only providing a modern working environment, but we are also establishing ourselves in Garching – a place where research, industry, and other partners converge. This close interaction makes Garching an exceptionally robust innovation ecosystem and creates the ideal conditions for translating scientific findings into practical applications more rapidly.”

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kramer, Vice President of the Technical University of Munich (TUM): “The new location of Fraunhofer IKS is a major asset for the Garching research and innovation campus. Having Fraunhofer and TUM in close proximity offers the perfect environment for combining excellent research with practical application. In the field of artificial intelligence, in particular, safety and reliability are of central importance. Together, we aim to develop innovative solutions and shape the future of trustworthy AI.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mario Trapp, Director of Fraunhofer IKS: “The new Fraunhofer IKS building at the Garching Research Campus is the home of ‘Safe Intelligence.’ From here, we set global standards. Leading deep-tech companies turn to us for answers, and we translate innovations into practical value for our economy. Reliability and safety: These are central to the question of trust in AI. At Fraunhofer IKS in Garching, our brightest minds are finding the answers – answers that bring the world to Garching.”

The new institute building brings together forward-looking research and innovative architecture, creating a distinctive landmark on the campus. The building was designed and planned by Düsseldorf-based Telluride Architektur, led by Hubert Juranek.

The institute building currently houses 120 staff members. The new facility also welcomes guests and partners and provides space for academic conferences and events. This openness, particularly its emphasis on collaboration with other organizations and companies on the research campus, is a fundamental aspect of the building’s design. The building offers 5,230 square meters across four floors, available for these purposes and for research activities. Construction and initial fit-out costs total 44.6 million euros, with funding provided equally – 50 percent each – by the Free State of Bavaria and the federal government.

“The opening of our new building marks the next step in our research,” emphasizes Mario Trapp. “Our goal is to enable intelligent software and safe artificial intelligence. By addressing the risks associated with these complex systems at an early stage, we ensure the level of reliability that creates genuine value for the economy and society.”