'/%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=small}
From Idea to Prototype: Project groups at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences offer companies the opportunity to test specific AI use cases in a practical setting together with master’s students.
Artificial intelligence offers companies a wide range of possibilities. However, whether an AI solution actually adds value within a company’s own operations often becomes clear only when applied to a specific use case. This is precisely where the project groups at the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences come in: Over the course of two semesters, teams of students develop a prototype to address a real-world problem posed by a company.
DIAL GmbH provides a real-world example. There, relevant subject matter expertise was scattered across numerous documents and channels. In 2026, a team from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences developed an AI-based knowledge system that answers technical questions directly based on these sources.
In the master’s program “Applied Artificial Intelligence,” teams of five to ten students work on specific tasks from companies. The program is aimed at professionals in engineering, the natural sciences, and business. Each person contributes approximately 300 working hours to the project. This results in a total of about 1,500 to 3,000 working hours per project group. The goal is to develop a prototype, including documentation and a final report.
From Problem Statement to Prototype
In March, the project topics are presented and then selected by the students. During the project phase, regular meetings held every two to four weeks ensure a continuous exchange of ideas and keep the development closely aligned with the specific use case. In February, the project groups present their results.
The participating company provides a designated contact person as well as the necessary data and access. Important to note: These are student projects with no guarantee and no claim to product maturity. The results are generally open to the public, though a confidentiality agreement can be arranged.
In this way, the project groups offer companies a free opportunity to test their own AI ideas in practice with manageable risk while also getting to know future AI professionals.
Contact:
Francesca Rosnau
South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences
Email: kooperation.iserlohn@fh-swf.de
Phone: 02371 566-1046