Berlin’s Scientific Landscape Enhanced with New Data & AI Center
Berlin, March 27, 2026 – The Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB) and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) have officially commenced the construction of a new Data & AI Center in Berlin-Adlershof. This ambitious project aims to create a scalable and sovereign data infrastructure, significantly bolstering Berlin’s scientific capabilities and contributing to research security, resilience, and technological independence.
The need for robust data processing capabilities is growing across various scientific fields, including materials science, energy research, and health. Researchers face the challenge of processing increasingly large volumes of data quickly, reliably, and securely. Concurrently, there is a rising demand for enhanced protection of sensitive research data and secure IT infrastructures.
Intensified Collaboration for a Competitive Research Environment
In response to these demands, HZB and ZIB have intensified their collaboration, formalizing their partnership with the signing of an agreement to build this state-of-the-art data center. The initiative will establish a regionally anchored, competitive infrastructure that extends beyond institutional boundaries, thereby strengthening data-driven research throughout Berlin. This was announced during the inaugural event held yesterday, March 27, 2026, in Berlin-Adlershof.
The data center will be built in phases, adapting to the evolving needs of Berlin’s scientific community over the coming years. Plans include HPC (High-Performance Computing) and AI-optimized technologies that integrate high-performance computing, data management, and AI applications. These areas are designed to be as flexible as possible to accommodate diverse applications.
Phased Development and Sustainable Design
In the initial expansion phase, scheduled for 2026/2027, infrastructures at ZIB in Berlin-Dahlem will be centralized and operated for the partners. Concurrently, a new operational site with expanded hardware will be established at the HZB location in Berlin-Adlershof. A second phase, beginning in 2029/2030, will see additional computing capacities added, depending on further scientific requirements.
A significant focus of the project is sustainability. Components such as computers, storage, networks, and cooling systems will be selected with sustainability and operational reliability in mind. Furthermore, the potential use of waste heat by local utility companies is being explored.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Dr. Ina Czyborra, Senator for Science, Health, and Care, emphasized the importance of the new center: “With the new data center, two strong partners are creating the digital power infrastructure that modern cutting-edge research needs today. Especially in materials, health, and climate research, data usage and processing are essential and increasingly important. The data center covers this growing demand and at the same time strengthens the technological independence and resilience of our research location. The approach of HZB and ZIB to create synergies by sharing resources is not only economically smart but another example of lived Berlin research policy. Innovations like these decisively advance us in AI and data-intensive research – and strengthen our position in international competition for the brightest minds.”
Professor Dr. Christof Schütte, President of ZIB, highlighted the center’s alignment with ZIB’s vision: “The new Data, Compute, and AI Center is closely linked to the vision of the Zuse Institute Berlin to further develop modeling, AI, and high-performance computing as the basis of modern science. Here, in a collaborative effort, an infrastructure for data-intensive cutting-edge research is being created that relies on powerful, flexible, and secure operating models. It is a strategic investment in Berlin’s scientific excellence.”
Professor Dr. Bernd Rech, Scientific Director of HZB, added: “Together with ZIB, we are laying the foundation for the next generation of data-driven materials science. High-performance computing and AI-supported methods open up new avenues to predict material properties and significantly accelerate innovations. The collaboration also strengthens the IT structures at our BESSY II synchrotron light source and is groundbreaking for the planned successor source BESSY III.”
The establishment of this Data & AI Center marks a significant step forward for Berlin’s research landscape, promising to foster innovation and maintain the city’s competitive edge in global scientific endeavors.
