Another milestone for AI from the Stuttgart region

The program is jointly driven by ARENA2036, Cyber Valley GmbH, DeepScenario, waveye, and the Technical Information and Communication Services of the University of Stuttgart (TIK).

With HLRS joining the initiative, the program gains an important new partner. This collaboration provides access to the infrastructure project HammerHAI. Starting in mid-year, extensive AI computing resources will be available across the entire development chain—from smaller systems directly integrated into machines or devices to powerful high-performance computing systems. This will make it possible to train and deploy very large and complex AI models.

Infrastructure designed to accelerate AI development

As part of the initiative, the partners are building an open IT and data infrastructure, including access to a data space for the sovereign exchange of data. The goal is to provide companies with easy access to powerful resources for AI applications—from the initial idea to practical deployment within companies. At the center of this effort is the networking of AI systems and data. Companies will be able to use the provided infrastructure without having to build large technical systems themselves. Access will be offered at competitive costs. Start-ups as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will particularly benefit, strengthening their innovative capacity and competitiveness.

This will create a scalable, transparent, and collaboratively designed system in Baden-Württemberg. Instead of a black-box approach, the project deliberately focuses on an open infrastructure.

This infrastructure is built on three key components:

Integrating own hardware

Companies can integrate their own computing hardware, allowing them to flexibly expand available computing capacity and address individual requirements.

Shared data space

A scalable, collaborative data space with marketplaces enables different organizations to work together on datasets, AI models, and concrete use cases.

High-performance computing with HammerHAI

Powerful high-performance computing resources enable the training and deployment of particularly large AI models.

A program that accelerates companies

Participating companies in the ‘KI-D@ARENA2036-X’ program benefit from practical access to powerful AI infrastructure and a strong innovation network.

The program offers, among other things:

• the opportunity to test and implement new ideas and proof-of-concepts without high upfront investments
• access to powerful high-performance IT without having to operate their own data center
• professional exchange with other AI developers facing similar technological challenges
• a real-world testing environment at ARENA2036 that brings together requirements from different industries

This means the program not only supports companies in their projects—it actively accelerates the development and implementation of new AI applications.

Voices from the project team

Prof. Dr. Peter Middendorf, Rector of the University of Stuttgart:

“The IT and data infrastructure of ‘KI-D@ARENA2036-X’ is another important building block in our innovation ecosystem. The University of Stuttgart contributes to the success of this project through its Technical Information and Communication Services and as a partner of ARENA2036. I am therefore particularly pleased that the High-Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS) is now joining as another strong partner. With its powerful computing infrastructure, HLRS will support companies and start-ups in testing and optimizing state-of-the-art AI applications.”

Dr. Alexander Lahl, Regional Director of the Verband Region Stuttgart:

“Together with the HammerHAI infrastructure project, an important nucleus for AI development is emerging in the region. Start-ups and especially small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit greatly from this initiative. Through our support, we are significantly strengthening the Stuttgart Region as a location for AI applications and data infrastructures. At the same time, this project highlights the importance of collaboration across research, industry, and regional partners.”

Michael Kaiser, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart GmbH (WRS):

“The collaboration between ‘KI-D@ARENA2036-X’ and HLRS and its European AI Factory HammerHAI is another important building block for the AI ecosystem of the Stuttgart Region. It enables companies to train and use very large AI models using efficient high-performance computers—without having to operate their own data center. This opens up new opportunities in AI development and application, especially for small and medium-sized companies.”

Angelina Jukic, Program Manager at Cyber Valley GmbH:

“Our goal within the KI-D@ARENA2036-X program is to create a highly connected ecosystem that brings together research, start-ups, and industry. This will make the development and training of AI models more efficient. HammerHAI is one of Germany’s leading AI computing infrastructures and works together with ARENA2036 on forward-looking solutions.”

Project status and outlook

Following the successful establishment of the basic infrastructure during the first year of the project, the program will enable operational access to the available computing and data resources in 2026.

About the KI-D@ARENA2036-X program

The KI-D@ARENA2036-X program is jointly implemented by ARENA2036, Cyber Valley GmbH, DeepScenario, waveye, and the Technical Information and Communication Services (TIK) of the University of Stuttgart. The goal is to build a collaborative infrastructure that accelerates AI innovation in Baden-Württemberg while ensuring security, transparency, and long-term economic sustainability.

The program is funded by the Verband Region Stuttgart within the Co-Financing Program for Artificial Intelligence from 2024 to 2027 with a total of €685,000.

Presscontact:

Silke Dutz

Public Outreach Manager      

Email: silke.dutz@cyber-valley.de