The planned Cluster of Excellence RAI under the leadership of the Technical University of Darmstadt is dedicated to the development of a new generation of AI systems based on the rational use of resources, data protection and continuous improvement. With four research areas, multidisciplinary teams are working on shaping the future of AI. Over the past decade, deep learning has enabled significant advances in artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, current AI systems have weaknesses, including a lack of logical reasoning, difficulties in dealing with new situations and the need for continuous adaptation. Last but not least, current AI systems require extensive resources. The Cluster of Excellence project “Reasonable Artificial Intelligence” therefore aims to develop the next generation of AI, “Reasonable Artificial Intelligence” (RAI).

CoM2Life aims to develop a revolutionary generation of soft biomaterials that are based on the principles of living systems and are able to enter into permanent and reciprocal communication with living systems, i.e. cells and tissues. To this end, the scientists are following an approach that combines the chemistry-centred design of biomaterials with the design of regulatory circuits in synthetic biology. In this way, they are creating the prerequisites for the development of intelligent biomaterials that are capable of selectively detecting signals from their environment, processing them internally and then controlling actuators and effectors as required. The aim is to enable ground-breaking advances in medical research, including the development of feedback-controlled materials for the needs-based release of drugs and biological effectors for cancer immunotherapy or tissue regeneration, for new tissue models that can replace animal experiments and, in the long term, for the development of artificial organs. Communication sciences are also involved in this highly interdisciplinary project in order to counter the challenge of misinformation about this innovative field of research.