Safety is a key factor for user acceptance in the development of autonomous vehicles. With the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the requirements for ensuring the safety of autonomous driving functions become even more demanding. This is precisely where the research project Safe AI Engineering, launched on March 1, comes in: The project focuses on enhancing safety and improving AI integration. A total of 24 partners from industry and academia are collaborating to develop practical methods that will ensure the safety of AI functions throughout their entire lifecycle over the course of the next three years.

The goal of the project is to create a holistic methodology for the validation and assurance of AI functions in automated driving. This process covers all phases, from planning and development to testing, application, monitoring, and continuous improvement. A particular emphasis is placed on accompanying safety verification, which will be supported by a practical approach to strengthen Germany’s global leadership in safe autonomous driving.

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), Safe AI Engineering represents a logical next step toward autonomous mobility - driven by strong partners from industry and research in Germany. The project partners will contribute existing vehicles, data, and hardware developed in previous research projects. In doing so, Safe AI Engineering plays a crucial role in enabling the safe, scalable, and future-proof integration of AI into automated mobility systems.

The EICT has been entrusted with project management and the dissemination of results throughout the three-year term. This includes the planning, preparation, and execution of the two-day kick-off event on March 20-21, 2025, hosted by the consortium leader Luxoft in Böblingen.