Franziska Weindauer becomes the new CEO of the TÜV AI.Lab

Proven digital policy expert takes over management of the AI project lab. Regulation for secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence is imminent. Expertise required for implementation in practice. Development of new standards and assessment tools.

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Berlin, 01. November 2023 – Franziska Weindauer has taken over the management of "TÜV AI Lab GmbH" since 1 November 2023. "We are delighted to have Franziska Weindauer, a proven digital policy expert, join the TÜV AI.Lab," says Dr Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. "The regulatory basis for secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence is currently being established worldwide. The AI.Lab will accompany the implementation of these requirements in practice and support TÜV companies in the development of innovative AI applications in safety-critical areas." These include AI systems with a high risk, for example in vehicles, in medicine or in robotics. However, regulation is also necessary if there is a risk that AI algorithms will put people at a disadvantage or restrict their fundamental rights. In the TÜV AI.Lab, AI experts will develop concrete assessment scenarios, contribute to the creation of new AI standards and work on sector-specific use cases. "The public expects to be able to use products and applications with artificial intelligence safely," says Weindauer. "We are committed to this expectation. We want to make the AI ecosystem ready for the regulatory requirements. And we want to ensure that safe and sustainable AI becomes a unique selling point in Europe." This requires independent assessment of AI systems. The aim of the AI Lab is to make TÜV companies the leading assessment organisations for artificial intelligence. 

Franziska Weindauer previously worked as a political advisor for digital and data policy issues at the German Federal Chancellery and headed the policy team at the German digital association Bitkom in Berlin. Weindauer has a background in European Studies and gained international experience in Brussels, where she worked for a Member of the European Parliament, among others. She succeeds Dr Dietmar Schlößer, who was instrumental in driving the further development of the development lab. 

The TÜV AI.Lab was initially founded in 2021 under the umbrella of the TÜV Association and is now being continued as an independent joint venture between the TÜV companies TÜV NORD, TÜV Rheinland and TÜV SÜD. Since its launch, the AI.Lab has already been involved in a large number of initiatives and activities at European and national level, including research projects such as TEF Health or as a project partner in the development of driverless regional trains. The AI.Lab was also involved in the fourth "TÜV AI Conference" and the "AI Forum", which has taken place on 9 and 10 November 2023. The AI Forum is organised by the TÜV Association together with the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute.