Artificial intelligence is increasingly shaping business, public administration, and everyday life. At the same time, the challenge of aligning technological innovation with legal requirements, ethical principles, and societal expectations continues to grow. The ARC addresses precisely this gap between what is technically possible and what is socially responsible. Its goal is to research and design AI systems that are robust, transparent, fair, sovereign, and accountable, while maintain the focus on human beings.
Bavaria’s Minister of Science and the Arts, Markus Blume, emphasized the importance of the new centre: “Artificial intelligence reaches its full potential where technological excellence and social responsibility come together. This is exactly where the University of Bayreuth’s AI Responsibility Centre comes in: computer science, law, and philosophy are working together to advance trustworthy AI. The ARC enhances Bavaria’s existing AI landscape by addressing the practical implementation of responsibility through verifiable procedures and open standards. ARC will actively contribute to Bavaria’s AI network for mutual benefit. Through the Hightech Agenda Bavaria, we are making targeted investments in outstanding talent and creating the freedom needed for new research initiatives. In doing so, we are strengthening Bavaria’s world-class research and secure our position as a leading AI hub in Europe.”
The ARC brings together research, governance, and knowledge transfer under one roof. The scientific director of the newly established centre is Prof. Dr. Niklas Kühl, Professor of Business Information Systems Engineering and Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence at the University of Bayreuth. The co-directors are Prof. Dr. Christian Rückert, Professor of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and IT Criminal Law, and Prof. Dr. Lena Kästner, Professor of Philosophy with a focus on Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. Operational management is led by Managing Director Simeon Allmendinger.
The ARC’s research focuses range from human oversight of AI systems and human-AI collaboration to explainable AI, algorithmic fairness, and the practical implementation of regulatory requirements, including those arising from the European AI Act. The centre combines fundamental research with application-oriented knowledge transfer and develops solutions for companies, public institutions, and societal organizations.
University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Stefan Leible stated: “With the AI Responsibility Centre, the University of Bayreuth is strengthening its profile in one of the most important fields of the future. The centre’s unique strength lies in its consistent interdisciplinary approach. Experts from technology, law, and philosophy are working together to address the major questions surrounding artificial intelligence and to enable responsible innovation.”
Prof. Dr. Niklas Kühl highlighted the ambitions of the new centre: “Responsible AI does not emerge automatically. It must be deliberately developed, monitored, and governed. Our goal is to create powerful AI systems that support people, earn trust, and meet regulatory requirements. Together with our colleagues from law and philosophy, we translate scientific insights into practical solutions for business, public administration, and society. We do not merely advocate for responsible AI, we build it.”
Through its unique combination of information systems, law, and philosophy, the AI Responsibility Centre creates a new space for research and knowledge transfer in Responsible AI. The initiative is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.
Individuals interested in contributing to the centre’s activities are welcome to contact jobs@ai-responsibility-centre.eu.
