AI.BAY



Bavarian AI Foundation Model Initiative

Welcome to the AI.BAY Initiative, a groundbreaking project by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts. This initiative aims to develop generative, multimodal AI foundation models that serve as the basis for innovative applications in science, business, administration, and society, strengthening Bavaria's technological sovereignty.


What are our Objectives?

With AI.BAY, the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts (StMWK) promotes technological sovereignty in the field of AI. The initiative builds up an open, responsible, and innovative ecosystem in the Free State of Bavaria, expands critical engineering expertise, and propels the development of AI models for various modalities such as reading, writing, seeing, hearing, touching, and acting in accordance with European standards. These models are intended to serve as the basis for a wide range of AI applications in science, business and industry, public administration, and society, and to systematically promote interdisciplinary networking and knowledge transfer within Bavaria’s AI network.

AI.Bay will provide funding for personnel, add engineering expertise, and establish computing resources for AI development. It is linked to and will provide expertise for the planned AI Gigafactory “Blue Swan”, which aims to take AI infrastructure to an entirely different level. Through AI.BAY, fundamental future enabling technologies are being developed and provided, and will be continually expanded in collaboration of research institutions with application-oriented partners. The entire development process follows an open, documented, and participatory structure.

The scientific coordination of the initiative is led by Prof. Dr. Björn Ommer (LMU Munich) and Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard (TU Nuremberg). The Bavarian AI Agency supports network building and project management.

To participate just download the call for proposals.

Participate and Apply

Scientists within Bavaria's AI network are invited to apply and become part of this exciting initiative. Click here (call document) for more information and to apply. Please submit your proposal by 31st. October 2025 the latest to submission-ai-bay@baiosphere.org. 

Steering Comittee

The coordination of the initiative is led by:

• Prof. Dr. Björn Ommer (LMU Munich)
• Prof. Dr. Wolfram Burgard (TU Nuremberg)
• Dr. Michael Klimke (Bavarian AI Agency)

Learn More

For those interested in further insights, you can watch a presentation by Prof. Dr. Björn Ommer here. He also delivered a speech at re:publica.

Contact

For more information, please contact:

If you want to learn more about BAIOSPHERE, click here