The project includes the development of a specific RTL Deutschland AI language model, and as part of the project, the Fraunhofer IAIS will contribute with its expertise in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The collaboration will result in AI solutions that are specifically tailored to RTL Deutschland’s requirements. A central focus is on the development and implementation of intelligent multimodal systems to create innovative applications for the media sector. At the same time, customised data processes and training methods for AI models are developed in secure, data protection-compliant environments in order to design and play out content more efficiently and in a more targeted manner.

Stephan Schmitter, CEO of RTL Deutschland, says: “RTL Deutschland is consistently focusing on digitalisation and generative AI as a strategic priority. We are concentrating on five lighthouse projects with high potential – including our Newsroom of the Future, video production, RTL+ subscriptions, procurement and marketing. This puts us at the forefront of the German TV and streaming market, where we are driving AI-supported production processes in order to increase efficiency and creativity. At the same time, we are working with forward-looking production partners to integrate AI into production processes in order to accelerate them and make them more efficient, so that we can continue to guarantee high level of investment in content. Our partnership with Fraunhofer IAIS underlines our commitment to these innovations. With the insights gained from training large language models and a focus on customisation, we are creating tailored AI-based solutions for our media and production processes. The collaboration is exemplary for digital sovereignty in Europe.”

Stefan Wrobel, Director of the Fraunhofer IAIS, says: “The collaboration with RTL Deutschland is an important step in tapping the potential of generative AI in the media industry. We look forward to supporting RTL Deutschland in developing and adapting data-sovereign language models. The possible applications in the media sector are diverse: for example, AI language models play an important role in the production and interaction of media content or the detection of disinformation. Together, we are setting new standards for innovative and responsible AI applications in Europe.”

This project follows a number of AI development projects, showing the increasingly important topic of AI. Recent projects include the previously announced partnership between RTL Deutschland with Perplexity AI, the strategic collaboration between Bertelsmann and OpenAI. As part of the latter strategic collaboration, Bertelsmann is supporting the organisation and implementation of several AI projects, including at RTL Group.

About Fraunhofer IAIS

As part of one of the leading organisations for applied research, the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS, based in Sankt Augustin/Bonn and Dresden, is one of the leading scientific institutes in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and big data in Germany and Europe. Around 380 employees support companies in optimising products, services and processes, as well as in developing new digital business models.