Competence centre Arbeitswelt.Plus - People. Industry. Tomorrow.

How will artificial intelligence (AI) change the world of work? And how can companies utilise new technologies?  Identifying potential uses for AI and developing concrete solutions pose challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular: A shortage of skilled workers, a lack of technological prerequisites or unclear organisational structures are hurdles that need to be overcome on the way to introducing AI-based processes. Above all, there is a lack of SME-oriented labour research that provides solutions and application knowledge on AI in order to take away companies' uncertainty before the introduction. These tasks are to be taken on by the Arbeitswelt.Plus competence centre.

Arbeitswelt.Plus aims to develop and establish a regional competence centre for work research. By combining AI research and AI application as well as establishing transfer structures, the competence centre is intended to support companies in recognising and exploiting the potential of artificial intelligence for the world of work. Among other things, the project partners involved are working on interdisciplinary issues, trialling innovative AI solutions in lighthouse projects, preparing best practice examples and developing an information platform.

As part of the project, Fraunhofer IEM is designing methods, tools and options for action that will enable SMEs to design and introduce AI applications. Fraunhofer IEM is also working with Miele on the design of intelligent workforce scheduling in assembly. In collaboration with Dr Oetker, approaches for AI-supported integrated sales planning are to be developed. Fraunhofer IEM is also responsible for coordinating the Arbeitswelt.Plus competence centre together with it's OWL.