AI Associate (m/f/x)

appliedAI Initiative GmbH; Heilbronn; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Office Heilbronn

Office Munich

Wellpass sports membership

JobRad

Sabbatical option

Mobility budget

Workation

Job summary

appliedAI Initiative GmbH is seeking a motivated Strategy & Transformation enthusiast to join our team. You’ll gain hands-on exposure to how Mittelstand companies build and scale their AI ambitions, while learning from senior strategists and technical experts in a hybrid setup across Heilbronn and Munich.

With a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you’ll support AI strategy design, use case portfolios, and client workshops, translating strategic topics into actionable formats from day one.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical or business field.
• Initial exposure to AI/ML via internships or student projects.
• Fluent in English and German; strong communication.
• Comfort with data and basic Python/SQL is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design AI strategies and use-case portfolios for partners.
• Contribute to AI maturity assessments with data and interviews.
• Assist in client workshops translating strategy topics to actionable formats.
• Analyze AI use cases across functions with technical colleagues.
• Develop reusable assets and frameworks for Strategy & Transformation.
• Track AI research and translate findings into client work inputs.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

German & English fluency

Team player

Curiosity about AI business value

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in technical or business field

Tools

Python

SQL

Job description

About us

The appliedAI Initiative elevates Europe’s industry to become shapers in the age of AI, creating a future that we desire to live in. Through our ecosystem of strong partners, comprehensive programs, services and solutions we advance companies holistically on their AI journey. With our uniquely diverse, interdisciplinary, and driven team, we build on deep technical expertise while specializing on applicability of the solutions. We share a mindset of collaboration and openness with our ecosystem of leading companies and tech players. Our common goal is to strengthen the European landscape, jointly creating unique knowledge for applying trustworthy AI. We believe that AI Agents will be the dominant topic for AI in the near future and that appliedAI with its partner ecosystem will impact how this technology is being used in industry and beyond in Europe.

Your mission

As part of appliedAI’s Strategy & Transformation team, you’ll get hands‑on exposure to how established companies and larger “Mittelstand” organizations build and scale their AI ambitions. Working alongside experienced strategists and technical experts, you’ll learn how sound AI strategy, use case portfolios, and organizational readiness come together in practice - while getting a technical grounding that goes beyond classic strategy consulting. This is a strong entry point into AI strategy work, with real client exposure from day one.
Your tasks will include:

• Support the design and analysis of AI strategies and use case portfolios for partner companies, working closely with senior strategists and technical leads
• Contribute to AI maturity assessments by gathering data, conducting structured interviews, and synthesizing findings into clear recommendations
• Assistin preparing and running workshops with client teams, translating strategic AI topics into concrete, actionable formats
• AnalyzeAI use cases across business functions, assessing technical feasibility, data requirements, and value potential together with technical colleagues
• Support the development of reusable assets and frameworks for the Strategy & Transformation team, helping scale our offering
• Track emerging AI research, tools, and industry practice, and translate relevant findings into inputs for ongoing client work

Your profile

• Degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in a technical or business-related field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Business Informatics, Business Administration)
• First practical exposure to AI/ML, e.g., through internships, working student roles, academic projects, or early professional experience
• Working knowledge of AI/ML fundamentals (e.g., LLMs, machine learning basics, data pipelines) and genuine curiosity about how they create business value
• Comfortable working with data and structuring analysis; familiarity with tools such as Python or SQL is a plus
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to break ambiguous questions into clear, actionable pieces
• A clear communicator and collaborative team player, eager to learn from senior colleagues and client stakeholders
• Fluent in English and German, communicating confidently with both customers and colleagues in either language

What we offer

• A highly qualified and motivated team of ~90 people is on a journey to change the rapidly evolving European AI Landscape
• Experience the best of both worlds with our hybrid work model: You can choose to work from our vibrant offices - either at the IPAI in Heilbronn or the House of Communication in Munich - while also enjoying the flexibility to work remotely a few days each week
• Opportunity to shape a variety of projects and the development of new, original content based on the latest developments in AI and its adoption in businesses
• An atmosphere that encourages to think and experiment in new ways with software, hardware, and processes
• A highly visible initiative that helps you build a large and high-level network of start‑ups, partners, and tech companies
• No fixed budget for growth – you decide how you want to develop, whether through training, certifications, conferences, or new challenges
• Sports membership with Wellpass to access thousands of sports facilities all over Germany (and beyond), as well as online courses
• JobRad: Lease a bike for a cheaper rate via JobRad and we cover the bike insurance on top
• Sabbatical option: You can take a sabbatical of up to 3 months after min. 3 years of employment - because sometimes 30 vacation days are not enough to explore the beauty of this world
• PME Familienservice: A 24/7 support for a successful work & life in any life situation. Benefit from free support in areas like life coaching, child care and many other options
• Mobility budget: Every month we contribute to your individual mobility usage with public transport or shared mobility offers within the app Moovster
• Workation: Work from anywhere in the EU/EWR area for up to 3 months per year - combining working at a nice place and spending your leisure time in the evening like vacation

Contact

Lucas Fernandes - Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
appliedAI Initiative GmbH, August‑Everding‑Str. 25, 81671 München