Cross-domain AI – a smart toolbox for data scientists

Data scientists are in demand, but scarce. The University of Passau has been working with Passau company ONE LOGIC GmbH to develop a smart toolkit able to automate some of this data work.

The lack of data scientists is something that affects not only the Bavarian forest’s ‘hidden champions’, but also small and medium enterprises in metropolitan areas. ‘Only really big companies get the skilled workers, whilst the small ones lose out', as Professor Michael Granitzer, holder of the Chair of Data Science at the University of Passau, summarised.

This is where the ‘Cross-domain AI – cross-domain development and adaptation of machine learning processes’ project comes in. Professor Granitzer’s team has been working together with Passau-based IT and data science startup ONE LOGIC GmbH to develop an intelligent toolbox that can be used to systematically develop, adapt and examine machine learning processes and data analysis workflows.

A lack of support tools for AI

‘The current situation for developing intelligent applications is similar to the early days of software development’, Professor Granitzer reported – with major parallels in the time that software developers had to laboriously devote to troubleshooting due to the lack of programs such as debuggers. This situation curtailed innovation.

Today, it is a lack of support tools that is slowing the development of machine learning process. The planned AI toolkit seeks to make data scientists’ work in companies a more efficient process and enable rapid, widespread use of artificial intelligence methods. This includes areas such as automated process analyses and optimising corporate procedures.

‘A form of recommender system’

‘Our methods are used to develop a form of recommender system’, Professor Granitzer explained. This system is designed to use the data sets available to provide developers with initial recommendations for the best further analysis methods to use in solving problems.

ONE LOGIC GmbH is a technology company in the data science and artificial intelligence sector, with bases in Passau and Munich. Founder and CEO Dr. Andreas Böhm studied Business Administration at the University of Passau and gained a doctorate in statistical forecasting.

The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy is supporting the project for three years as part of its ‘Information and Communication Technology’ research and development programme.