Essentially, it has invested in a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform. The Schwarz Group has acquired shares in DFKI, and as a result becomes the first trading company to become one of its 29 shareholders. The Group confirmed that it will closely work with DFKI to develop applications that evolve around new AI based technologies in the retail sector. It also believes that the partnership will help "relevant research knowledge convert faster into innovations that improve operational processes and support the stationary retail business." It's important to note that, over the last few years, the Schwarz Group and DFKI have already worked together on successful projects in the field of language assistance systems and robotics, amongst other areas.