The ProKI Karlsruhe research project has as its target to explore the vast potential of AI in production and to support companies in harnessing AI. From 2022 to 2024, the project contributed to the implementation of the vision of AI in manufacturing as one of eight demonstration and transfer centers in Germany. Through the Karlsruhe Transfer Center, we support manufacturing companies—particularly those in the machining division—by offering training sessions, workshops, and AI consultation hours to help them translate the insights gained about AI into broad, operational applications.

In the current second funding phase, another specific use case from the machining division is being addressed. The focus of the project’s continuation is the development of the “Machining Technician 2.0” as a model for a sustainable production environment. The target is to fundamentally advance the work of machining technicians through large language models and robotics. At ifab, we are particularly investigating the role of humans in this context: How do various aspects of working with LLMs and robots affect employees and their work? To this end, we are reviewing previously published research findings and synthesizing the insights. We are also conducting an empirical laboratory study.

Link to the homepage:

 https://www.wbk.kit.edu/wbkintern/Forschung/Projekte/proki_karlsruhe_wp/