Between Opportunities and Risks – Robert Bosch Stiftung Makes Artificial Intelligence its Key Focus for 2026

• Focus in 2026: Robert Bosch Stiftung will provide a total of around 17 million euros in funding this year to promote the use of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence for the common good. 
• Positive results from the Foundation's work in 2025: Around 195 million euros invested in charitable work in the areas of health, education, and global issues.
   

Berlin/Stuttgart, February 25, 2026 – Artificial intelligence (AI) offers enormous opportunities for solving social challenges. But it also poses risks to social cohesion and participation. This year, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is therefore focusing its work on the use of digital technologies such as AI for the common good. With a total of 8 million euros, it will support initiatives that harness the potential of digital technologies for the benefit of all people and promote transparent, sustainable development focused on human dignity.
“Technological progress must serve the well-being of people – this conviction of our founder Robert Bosch continues to guide us today,” says Dr. Bernhard Straub, CEO of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. "As an organization that is always learning, we are actively shaping the discourse on the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. Together with partners from civil society, the tech industry, and government, we are working on responsible solutions for the social challenges of digital transformation."

The Foundation already supports ongoing projects that focus on the social benefits of digital technologies. For example, the interactive showroom at the Bosch Health Campus brings digital health solutions to life and helps assuage reservations about them. In the field of education, the Foundation is working with Stanford University as part of the M.E.T.A. program to train educators, who then pass on their knowledge about the use of AI in the classroom to teachers. At the European level, the Foundation uses the European AI & Society Fund to strengthen civil society organizations that are working to ensure AI is focused on people and society.

Last year (2025), the Robert Bosch Stiftung invested around 195 million euros in its funding areas of health, education, and global issues. A significant portion of this, around 124 million euros, went to the area of health and, in particular, to the Foundation's Bosch Health Campus (BHC). The campus comprises the Robert Bosch Hospital, several research institutes, an education center, and an integrated funding area. At the BHC, the Foundation bundles all of its health activities – from patient care and medical research to the development of digital innovations such as the chatbot “Sundi,” which is designed to strengthen health literacy.

The Foundation maintains its own facilities such as the BHC, develops innovative projects, and is involved in nearly 400 partnerships worldwide. In 2025, it was active in over 30 countries and launched more than 300 new projects. Last year, the Foundation placed a special focus on strengthening democracy.
In the area of education, the Foundation for the first time honored schools for their outstanding concepts in democracy education as part of the annual German School Award. In the area of global issues, the focus was on social cohesion. The Diversity Barometer, a survey conducted by the Foundation, revealed declining support for social diversity in Germany – a warning sign of growing tensions. In this area, the Foundation stepped in with funding: Local dialogue formats such as “Allzeitorte” (Everyday Spaces) bring people from different backgrounds into conversation in everyday locations, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and democratic culture at the grassroots level.
 

As part of its Ukraine funding, the Foundation supported – among other things – the “Restart” initiative in 2025. Knowing that reconstruction cannot wait for a peace agreement, “Restart” is already developing concrete plans for a modern and resilient reconstruction in Ukrainian cities such as Voznesensk. By combining urban planning, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion, the initiative not only builds infrastructure, but also social resilience and hope.