What is the Competence Center Machine Learning
Rhine-Ruhr (ML2R)?

The Competence Center Machine Learning Rhine-Ruhr aims at bringing Machine Learning (ML) technologies in Germany to a worldwide leading level. The ML2R Center is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as one of six nationwide nodes for AI and ML research and transfer. The Technical University of Dortmund, the Fraunhofer Institutes for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS in Sankt Augustin and for Material Flow and Logistics IML in Dortmund and the University of Bonn are involved.

What Are the Main Areas of Research?

The common basis of the work in the ML2R Center is the research and development of modular ML applications. In Modular Machine Learning, systems are built up from individual components and linked to complex architectures so that they can be used intuitively and are reusable in a flexible way. The researchers will focus on the following three main areas of research:

Human-oriented Machine Learning

Human-oriented Machine Learning focuses on humans and designs Machine Learning processes in such a way that decisions made with the help of Artificial Intelligence become understandable, traceable and validatable for human beings.

Machine Learning with Restricted Resources

Machine Learning with Restricted Resources makes it possible to reliably perform calculations using Machine Learning even on small devices such as smartphones or directly in sensors. This also includes learning on quantum computers, which circumvents the limitations of existing hardware.

Machine Learning with Complex Knowledge

Machine Learning with Complex Knowledge integrates logical knowledge from various sources into learning systems to ensure reliable results even with small or insecure data sets.

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Technology Transfer: How Does Theory Become Practice?

ML is the key to intelligent products and processes, new business models and an advantage in international competition, which is why the research results are used for practice-oriented applications and serve as a basis for the development of new data-based services. Flagship applications from the fields of industry 4.0 and logistics as well as the automation of cognitive processes provide orientation for this. Especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, ML2R facilitates access to strategies, knowledge and data, so that they can successfully use ML technologies and survive in international competition. The research results will be published on an open source platform with curated data and models.

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Spokespersons of the Center

Prof. Dr.
Katharina Morik

Prof. Dr. Katharina Morik is Professor of Computer Science at the Technical University of Dortmund.

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Prof. Dr.
Stefan Wrobel

Prof. Dr. Stefan Wrobel is Professor of Computer Science at the University of Bonn and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS.

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We Are Hiring!

Are you passionate about Machine Learning and would you like to play an active role in shaping Germany’s digital future? Then apply to us.

We offer the opportunity to do your doctorate at ML2R or to join our team as a Post Doc. We also offer to supervise your master thesis on Machine Learning in the competence center.

You can find job advertisements and information on how to apply on our career page.