We come across artificial intelligence everywhere – but how can it really help us to understand the world better?

The ELLIS Unit in Jena conducts research into artificial intelligence for complex, dynamically changing systems. These include, amongst others, the climate and Earth systems, ecosystems, the human body and brain, as well as technical and social networks such as energy and transport systems.
In all these areas, the focus is on similar fundamental questions: How can we extract reliable information from sparse, noisy and heterogeneous data? How can we understand not only correlations but also causes? And how can we develop models that are consistent with our knowledge of physical, biological or social processes whilst remaining interpretable?
To this end, the work of the ELLIS Unit Jena brings together different disciplines – ranging from environmental research through medicine and neuroscience to technical applications. Despite their diversity, these systems share common structural and dynamic principles that can be investigated using shared methodological approaches.

What is ELLIS?
ELLIS stands for ‘European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems’ and is a pan-European network of excellence in AI research. It is based on machine learning as the central driver of modern artificial intelligence and aims to secure the long-term international leadership of AI ‘Made in Europe’. To this end, ELLIS brings together leading researchers and creates a multi-centre, Europe-wide AI cluster, of which the ELLIS Unit Jena is also a part.
Today, ELLIS comprises over 2,000 members across 49 locations. The research is organised into 16 scientific thematic programmes covering key questions in artificial intelligence, from the fundamentals to applications. This is complemented by a strong PhD programme with more than 500 PhD students being trained within this network.
The members of ELLIS are committed to actively shaping the future of AI in Europe by pushing scientific and technological boundaries – towards AI systems that are powerful, human-centred, useful and safe. Close collaboration across national borders and disciplines creates a unique research ecosystem that brings together cutting-edge research whilst also having a positive impact on society.