Mark W.
Independent IT/AI Consultant
Experience
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Expert
AI Consultancy
- Providing expert IT consulting, AI strategy development, coaching, and implementation services with a primary focus on Artificial Intelligence solutions for the general good, SMEs, and research institutions
- Delivering end-to-end AI solutions from strategy to production deployment
- Built Doppelcheck (2024), an AI-powered browser tool for automated fact-checking funded by Bavarian State Chancellery, using LLMs (Tulu3/Ollama) and FastAPI
- Developed Spot The Bot (2023), an educational game detecting AI-generated text, funded by BMBF
- Created berganza.live (2022), an early GPT-based literary chatbot
- Production-ready ML pipelines using PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, vector embeddings
- Custom NLP solutions with transformers and RAG architectures
- Reduced manual research time by 70% through automated content verification
- Increased AI literacy in 100+ regular players of Spot The Bot
Research Associate
GeoZentrum Nordbayern
- Leading AI implementation for geothermal energy optimization projects at a leading research center in geosciences in Northern Bavaria, part of Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Developed machine learning models for META-Studie achieving 85% accuracy in predicting soil thermal conductivity from geological data
- Built AI-driven parameter optimization system for KNW-Opt project using gradient-based algorithms and neural networks to maximize shallow geothermal efficiency
- Published peer-reviewed algorithm in Soil Systems journal (2024)
- Python-based prediction models processing 10,000+ soil samples
- Automated data pipeline reducing analysis time from weeks to hours
Artificial Intelligence Specialist
Fraunhofer-Zentrum für Internationales Management und Wissensökonomie IMW
- Accelerated AI adoption for German SMEs through Mittelstand-Digital program
- Architected MediBot using transformer-based NLP and knowledge graphs for medication counseling, reducing pharmacist queries by 60%
- Supported microservices architecture for e-invoicing AI demonstrator capable of processing 10,000+ invoices/day with 98% accuracy
- Coached SMEs on AI implementation, resulting in productivity gains and cost savings
Data Scientist
Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
- Architected and implemented AI module for AMPEL Clinical Decision Support System for early sepsis detection through real-time analysis of blood images
- Built reactive AI module processing thousands of lab results per second using ensemble ML models
- Deployed five parallel algorithms with 95%+ precision
- AMPEL monitors 60,000+ hospital beds across University of Leipzig and Muldental Clinics, reducing critical condition response time by 40%
- Secured €2.6M funding from eHealthSax/KHZG
- Published in JMIR Medical Informatics (2021)
Technician
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
- Developed 3D scanning pipeline processing 500+ historical artifacts using photogrammetry and structured light scanning
- Built custom hardware controllers for LEGO Mindstorms NXT educational robots used by 200+ students
- Maintained Linux clusters and implemented automated backup systems achieving 99.9% uptime
AI Art Collaborator & Workshop Facilitator
Various (ScaDS.AI, LJKE Bavaria, Burg Giebichenstein University)
- Built "Spiegelbox" (2023), an interactive installation using computer vision and emotion detection APIs exploring AI empathy
- Developed live performance system "Keeping up with AI" integrating speech recognition, GPT text generation, and DALL-E image synthesis in real time
- Designed and delivered workshops on generative AI implementation for artists and educators, covering practical applications of Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and custom model training
Data Scientist
Spendscape by McKinsey
- Designed spend classification engine using hierarchical clustering and NLP, processing millions of procurement transactions with 92% accuracy
- Built predictive models identifying 15-20% cost savings in multi-billion dollar indirect spend
- Implemented real-time anomaly detection reducing procurement fraud by 30%
- Technology now serves 100+ Fortune 500 companies, enabling transparency across €10B+ annual spend
Doctoral Researcher
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
- Conducted foundational AI research focusing on the Symbol Grounding Problem and Cognitive Systems as a PhD Scholar (Bavarian Elite Support - BayEFG)
- Designed and developed a novel phenomenological mechanism for concept formation in AI, culminating in the PhD thesis "Symbol Grounding as the Generation of Mental Representations"
- Created phenomenological mechanism for concept formation using reinforcement learning and cognitive modeling
- Published 8 peer-reviewed papers, including 3 at the AGI Conference, and received a Springer Best Paper Award
- Built time-critical language comprehension simulation processing natural language twice as fast as baseline models
- Research algorithms now implemented in production chatbots and NLU systems
Summary
With nearly 20 years of interdisciplinary experience at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence, I am a PhD-level AI Consultant and Researcher dedicated to helping early-stage and growth companies harness the transformative power of machine learning and AI-driven innovation.
I translate complex AI concepts into actionable strategies and tangible results. Whether you're looking to develop bespoke AI solutions, navigate the complexities of AI adoption, or implement AI for specialized domains (including medical technology, geosciences, and procurement), I provide expert guidance from concept to deployment. My focus is on creating practical, ethical, and impactful AI applications that drive growth and efficiency.
My unique background combines deep technical expertise (Large Language Models, LangChain, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Python, Java) with a profound philosophical understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations, honed through award-winning research (Springer Best Paper Award). I excel at bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI development and real-world business challenges, ensuring your AI initiatives are not only technologically sound but also strategically aligned with your objectives. Having worked with organizations like Fraunhofer to disseminate AI methods to SMEs, led AI development for clinical decision support systems (AMPEL), and developed fundamental AI building blocks for procurement (Orpheus GmbH, a McKinsey Company), I bring a wealth of practical experience to every engagement.
Let's connect to explore how AI can unlock new opportunities for your business.
Languages
Education
University of Bamberg
PhD, rer. nat., Cognitive Systems · Cognitive Systems · Bamberg, Germany · 0.66
University of Bamberg
Bachelor of Science, Applied Computer Science · Applied Computer Science · Bamberg, Germany · 1.8
University of Bamberg
Magister Artium, Philosophy, Psychology and Cultural Informatics · Philosophy, Psychology and Cultural Informatics · Bamberg, Germany · 1.9
Certifications & licenses
Corruption Prevention
Data Protection Knowledge
Rhetorics and Didactics
Successfully Acquiring Industry Projects
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