FITLO launches the Institute for AI Governance

Apr 4

3 min read

Strategic guidance for the use of artificial intelligence

/ Remshalden, 04. April 2026

With the launch of FITLO | Institute for AI Governance, a new institute dedicated to the strategic assessment and organisational implementation of artificial intelligence has been established in Baden-Württemberg. It supports organisations and executive and supervisory bodies in moving beyond a purely technological understanding of AI and embedding it effectively in structures, roles and decision-making processes.

FITLO launches the Institute for AI Governance

AI is changing not only individual processes, areas of application and job profiles, but increasingly the underlying logic of entire organisations. Companies are already investing heavily in AI, yet they are encountering structural barriers with growing frequency. Unclear responsibilities, insufficient strategic direction and governance, and poorly aligned role and competency profiles are hindering the sustainable use of AI.

“For many organisations, the primary challenge in dealing with AI is no longer the technology itself, but its strategic, organisational and workforce-related integration,” says Dr Florian Härer, Director of FITLO | Institute for AI Governance.

This is precisely where the new institute begins its work. FITLO sees itself as an independent platform for applied research, role-based education and selected dialogue and exchange formats. Its central concern is how organisations and their leadership and supervisory bodies can shape AI strategically and responsibly without being driven by short-lived hype, purely technical approaches or disconnected individual initiatives.

“Conversations with companies, executives and supervisory bodies have repeatedly shown that AI can create sustainable commercial value only when technological opportunities, governance, role architectures and competency development are considered together,” says Härer. “With FITLO, we aim to establish a framework that helps organisations turn isolated AI activities into robust and sustainable structures.”

At launch, FITLO | Institute for AI Governance comprises three areas of activity.

FITLO Research

Through FITLO Research, the institute conducts applied research and analysis on the strategic governance and organisational integration of AI. Its work includes making AI activities visible, clarifying responsibilities and governance mechanisms, assessing AI initiatives strategically, embedding AI in organisational structures and processes, and addressing questions relating to rules, risks and oversight.

Formats range from briefings based on the latest AI research and systemic organisational analyses to longer-term research partnerships.

FITLO Education

With FITLO Education, the institute focuses on individuals, role profiles and development pathways in the context of AI. Its work centres on individual assessments, role clarification, competency profiles, professional development requirements and the transfer of learning into practice.

Instead of offering a standardised course catalogue, FITLO Education follows a differentiated approach in which individual learning and development pathways are designed on the basis of evidence-based analyses and case studies. This is complemented by sparring, guided professional development and selected programmes provided by external education partners.

FITLO Events

Through FITLO Events, the institute creates selected formats for dialogue, reflection and collaboration. These include executive-level discussions, expert briefings and events delivered with partners.

The aim is to create high-quality forums across Germany in which executives, research partners and practitioners can jointly address questions concerning AI governance, organisational integration and strategic development.

“Many organisations are currently operating under considerable commercial pressure and high expectations while searching for realistic, robust and responsible approaches to AI,” says Härer. “The institute aims to provide precisely this: applied research, the development of roles and competencies, and dialogue that combines strategic depth with organisational reality.”

The official launch of FITLO | Institute for AI Governance also marks the launch of the institute’s digital platform. It brings together FITLO’s areas of activity, research and education formats, developed models, current perspectives, events and publications.

Even during its founding phase, the institute has attracted growing interest from large companies and medium-sized organisations seeking opportunities for collaboration. FITLO is also active in professional and executive contexts through contributions to professional development programmes and industry events, as well as through its involvement in the smartAI Council of the Association of German Engineers (VDI), which focuses on the strategic and responsible application of AI.

There are also several points of connection within the academic community. These include a teaching collaboration with the Chair of Information Systems II at the University of Stuttgart, led by Professor Georg Herzwurm. Within this collaboration, current questions concerning AI governance are explored with Master’s students and representatives of supervisory and advisory boards.