HPI’s "Data & AI" cluster pioneers research on the next generation of intelligent data systems. We unite experts in database and machine learning technology to shape the future of data processing, data analysis, and effective and trustworthy AI systems. Our work enables organizations and industries to harness the power of their data.
Our Mission
We advance the science of working with big data across its entire lifecycle — from collection and processing to analysis and practical application in AI systems. Our interdisciplinary approach combines efficient and effective data engineering with cutting-edge AI methods. By bridging these fields, we propose solutions that are not just powerful, but also reliable, practical, and sustainable.
Research Areas
Our research drives innovation across various domains — from making Data & AI systems more environmentally sustainable, to ensuring reliable data management at scale, to developing trustworthy machine learning methods. We collaborate with partners to transform research insights into real-world solutions, while training the next generation of experts in data engineering and AI.
Core Data Technologies
Data Engineering Systems: Advancing database architectures and efficient processing of complex data streams. More
Information Systems: Pioneering methods for data quality, profiling, preparation, and integration MORE
Spatial Analytics and Large-Scale Data Processing: Improving the efficiency of data analysis and support data-driven decision-making MORE
AI Systems and Society
Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems: Exploring large language models, deep learning, and multimodal machine learning MORE
Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability: Creating energy-efficient AI solutions and applying AI to energy challenges MORE
Algorithmic Decision Making and Society: Ensuring fair, transparent AI while addressing societal challenges MORE
Technology and Regulation: Governing emergent technologies and exploring the legal, ethical, and technical aspects of AI and inferential analytics, explainable AI, algorithmic bias, platform regulation, profiling, as well as emotion- and facial-recognition software MORE
Become Part of Our Cluster
Are you interested in studying or pursuing a research career in data and AI? The cluster "Data & AI" offers an excellent platform to develop your skills and contribute to the future of data science and artificial intelligence.
Learn more about our cluster and become part of our dynamic and innovative community!
Interested in our Data & AI Master's Track?
Discover the Data & AI Track within the Master of Computer Science program. Gain hands-on expertise in cutting-edge areas like ML, data systems, and AI applications, preparing you for impactful careers at the forefront of the data-driven world.
MoreCluster Members
Cluster Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Felix Naumann
Head of Information Systems
Phone: +49 331 5509-280
Mail: felix.naumann@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- data quality
- data profiling
- data preparation and data cleansing
- information integration
Teaching Coordinator
Prof. Dr. Tilmann Rabl
Head of Data Engineering Systems
Phone: +49 331 5509-4881
Mail: tilmann.rabl@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- efficient processing of data streams
- complex data analysis
- modern database system architectures
- benchmarking
Cluster Members
Prof. Dr. Niclas Böhmer
Head of Algorithmic Decision Making and Society
Phone: +49 331 550-9196
Mail: niclas.boehmer@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- Computational Social Choice
- Economics and Computation
- Fair & Transparent AI
- AI for Public Health
- Social Impact of Algorithms
Prof. Dr. Ralf Herbrich
Head of Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability
Phone: +49 331 5509-3468
Mail: office-herbrich@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- energy-efficient AI processes
- AI for saving energy
- AI for energy-generation
- AI for storing energy
Prof. Dr. Gerard de Melo
Head of Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems
Phone: +49 331 5509-4906
Mail: gerard.demelo@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- deep learning
- natural language processing
- knowledge graphs
- big data
- multimodality
- data integration
Research Focuses:
- Process Mining
- Pattern detection in data streams
- Exploratory data analysis
- Design of data analysis pipelines
Prof. Dr. Eleni Tzirita Zacharatou
Head of Spatial Analytics and Large-Scale Data Processing
Phone: +49 331 5509-214
Mail: eleni.tziritazacharatou@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- Spatial data processing
- Spatial analytics
- Data exploration
- IoT data management
Affiliate Cluster Members
Prof. Dr. Bert Arnrich
Head of Digital Health - Connected Healthcare
Phone: +49 331 5509-4850
Mail: bert.arnrich@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- health data in daily life
- ubiquitous computing
- clinical data mining
- distributed AI
- affective computing
Prof. Dr. Vaibhav Bajpai
Head of Data-Intensive Internet Computing
Phone: +49 331 5509-3435
Mail: office-bajpai@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- network protocols and architecture
- networked systems
- network infrastructure
- network security and privacy
Research Focuses:
- theoretical computer science
- efficient algorithms
- heuristic optimization
- random processes
- complexity
Prof. Dr. med. Georg Kaissis
Head of Digital Health: Human-Centered Transformative AI
Mail: georg.kaissis@hpi.de
MoreResearch Focuses:
- Developing cutting-edge multimodal AI models for medicine
- Pioneering methods to provide verifiable guarantees for their reliability
- Foundational research in machine learning (including differential privacy, fairness, interpretability, model editing and efficiency)
- Creation of large-scale, human-in-the-loop systems based on multimodal large reasoning models designed to empower clinicians, researchers and patients
Prof. Dr. Christoph Lippert
Head of Digital Health - Machine Learning
Phone: +49 331 5509-4850
Mail: christoph.lippert@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- AI methods in medicine
- data analytics
- recognition of disease patterns
- effects of digital health measures
Research Focuses:
- Generative and Agentic Software Engineering
- AI Engineering
- Requirements Engineering for Trustworthy AI
- Mining Software Repositories
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Renard
Head of Data Analytics and Computational Statistics
Phone: +49 331 5509-4961
Mail: bernhard.renard@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- automated data analysis
- data integration
- statistical estimation of error rates
- software implementation
- biomedicine
Prof. Dr. Sandra Wachter
Head of Technology and Regulation
Phone: +49 331 5509-215
Mail: sandra.wachter@hpi.de
Research Focuses:
- Governance of emergent technologies and public policy
- Algorithmic bias and fairness
- Explainable AI
- Generative AI and hallucinations
- Platform regulation
- Societal impact of emergent technologies on human rights such as privacy, free speech and press, access to information, non-discrimination, education, and employment
Areas of responsibility:
- develop strategies, concepts, and recommendations for cluster activities in research, teaching, and transfer
- coordinate course offerings with cluster coordinators, members, program management, and Student Affairs
- organization of cluster activities (weekly meetings, special lectures, retreats, … )
- organization of Research methods curriculum for PhD Students
Swinda Krause
Program Manager Data and AI Cluster (maternity leave)
Phone: +49 331 5509-248
Mail: swinda.krause@hpi.de
Areas of responsibility:
- cluster coordination
- organization of cluster activities (weekly meetings, special lectures, retreats, … )
- contact person for PhD research exchange program with University of California, Irvine (UCI)
- organization of Research methods curriculum for PhD Students
Dr. Daria Onitiu
Postdoctoral Researcher "Technology and Regulation"
Phone: +49 331 5509-1315
Mail: daria.onitiu@hpi.de
Dr. Kaivalya Rewal
Postdoctoral Researcher "Technology and Regulation"
Dr. Stratis Tsirtsis
Postdoctoral Researcher "Technology and Regulation"
Mail: stratis.tsirtsis@hpi.de
More
Cluster Organization
Research Schools within Data & AI Cluster
The Hasso Plattner Institute's Research Schools offer an outstanding environment for doctoral researchers in computer science and digital technologies. At HPI, you benefit from close supervision by experienced professors and postdocs, cutting-edge research facilities, and a collaborative academic network.
Research School "Foundations of AI"
This research school focuses on advancing AI methods, including energy-efficient and privacy-aware algorithms, fair and explainable decision-making, and mathematical theories of AI. While applications of AI are used to validate these innovations, the primary goal is to build foundational methods and theories for societal impact.
Research School "Information & Data Engineering"
Data and information engineering encompasses collecting, integrating, cleaning, storing, managing, and analyzing raw data to support data-intensive applications. Researchers in this field design robust, scalable architectures and pipelines to transform raw data into reliable, accessible formats, leveraging techniques like real-time streaming and batch processing. These efforts provide the foundation for advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI applications.
Research News
Last change: 11/06/2026, Mareike-Vic Schreiber