Release of open-source modules for the AI data platform: a step toward greater transparency and sovereignty in the AI market
Stuttgart, January 28, 2026 – The AI Alliance Baden-Württemberg is making key open-source components of its AI data platform available for the first time. With this step, the state-wide cooperative is responding to the growing need for guidance, quality, and reliable foundations for AI applications – especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), local authorities, associations, and research institutions.
Data as a bottleneck – AI alliance delivers concrete solution
The demand for neutral and quality-assured data infrastructures is growing significantly. Companies need reliable data sources for AI applications. Local authorities need tools to make smart city and administrative data usable in the network in a targeted manner, and research institutions want to bring their innovations into application more quickly. "Many organizations know that AI has potential – but they don't have access to the necessary data, tools, or AI models they need for implementation, which are not available within their own area of responsibility," explains Dr.-Ing. Thomas Usländer, project manager and business manager for AI engineering at Fraunhofer IOSB. "We are developing an infrastructure that connects data spaces from different sectors – interoperable, open, and compatible with European standards and industry-specific data space initiatives such as Manufacturing-X. In doing so, we are laying the foundation for data-driven value creation in business, science, and administration."
Focus on open source core modules: data quality, access, and interoperability
With the published open-source components, the AI Alliance Baden-Württemberg provides central building blocks for a modern, interoperable data infrastructure. A new, intuitive data portal facilitates the search and management of data and AI models, thereby creating low-threshold access – especially for SMEs.
In addition, the AI-supported "Smart Data Search" enables relevant data sets to be identified quickly, even without prior technical knowledge. Automated "Data Quality Services" check data for structure, data protection, and quality, reducing the effort required for data curation.
In addition, data integration and data preparation tools ensure that data can be linked and shared with common industry standards from industry, healthcare, mobility, or smart cities. This is considered an important step toward cross-sector collaboration and "data room-enabled" applications in the state. Open developer tools, including interfaces, wizards, and Python libraries, also facilitate direct use in companies, universities, and development projects.
The AI data platform is being developed as a joint initiative of the Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance together with strong partners from research, industry, and the public sector. Project partners include Fraunhofer IOSB, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), the FZI Research Center for Information Technology, the City of Freiburg, the University Medical Center Freiburg, Aalen University, Fraunhofer IPA, the University of Tübingen, and the High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart (HLRS) at the University of Stuttgart. Together, they contribute expertise in data infrastructure, AI research, high-performance computing, municipal practice, healthcare, and industrial applications—with the goal of creating an open, interoperable, and practical database for AI applications in the state.
The AI Alliance's AI data platform complements the AI ecosystem with an infrastructure that systematically integrates the user perspective and compliance aspects and accelerates the transfer from research and development to widespread use.
The AI data platform is deliberately not being developed behind closed doors, but in collaboration with stakeholders in the state. We invite companies, research institutions, and local authorities to get involved in the user forum as early adopters, help shape standards, and contribute their own use cases. Only by connecting data, knowledge, and people in the state can we create an ecosystem that will strengthen Baden-Württemberg in the long term," said Sandra Rohner, Managing Director of the AI Alliance Baden-Württemberg, commenting on the publication.
The open source modules of the AI data platform are publicly available at www.github.com/KI-Allianz/. Information about the AI data platform project can be found at www.ki-allianz.de/unsere-projekte/ki-datenplattform/.
The project is funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism and will run until June 2026.
About the Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance
The Baden-Württemberg AI Alliance is an initiative of the founding regions of Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Neckar-Alb, Freiburg, Northern Black Forest, and Ostalbkreis. It connects business, science, politics, and administration and makes the application of artificial intelligence (AI) accessible. Its work focuses on identifying and linking needs in order to apply AI solutions in a responsible, quality-assured, and practical manner. The AI Alliance contributes to strengthening Baden-Württemberg as a sustainable and responsible AI location.
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