Professor · Consultant · Builder
Applied AI & Data, from research to production.
I'm Kay Rottmann. I am a professor for applied AI at HdM Stuttgart and help companies develop AI solutions and bring them to production through r7net GmbH.
Experience in building AI applications at:
What I do
Two audiences, one mission.
It is important to me that AI is not just hype, but delivers real value. Whether you are a student wanting to learn the craft or a company looking to benefit from AI or ship an AI product - the goal is the same: meaningful use of AI that delivers genuine value.
For students
Lectures & resources
I teach Applied AI, Prompt Engineering, and Marketing Analytics at HdM Stuttgart and in corporate training - practical, project-driven, and focused on what actually matters.
See what I teach →For companies
AI & data consulting
Through r7net GmbH, I help companies scope AI use cases, build convincing prototypes, and ship products into live operation - pragmatic, affordable, measurable.
See services →Foundations
If you only read three pieces
Long-form guides that capture the essentials on the topics I get asked about most often.
Foundations
AI for SMBs: What actually works (and what doesn't)
A hands-on guide for small and mid-sized businesses: which AI use cases pay off today, which don't - and how to get started without buzzword bullshit. Written by a Professor of Applied AI with 15+ years of industry experience.
Read →Foundations
Building AI Agents: A practical guide for 2026
A concrete, technical guide to building a production-ready AI agent - from use-case selection to the first prototype to the eval framework. With code examples and decision aids from real projects.
Read →Foundations
ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Gemini in 2026: Which model for which job?
A sober comparison of the three leading AI models in 2026 - ChatGPT (GPT-5), Claude 4.6, and Gemini 2.5 - with clear recommendations for typical scenarios. From a Professor of Applied AI with hands-on experience across all three model families.
Read →Writing
Latest from the blog
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Apr 10, 2026
Prompt Engineering: The fundamentals that actually matter
A compact, field-tested guide to prompt engineering - the techniques that make a real difference in real projects, without buzzword hype. From a Professor of Applied AI at HdM Stuttgart.
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Apr 10, 2026
What is an AI Agent? A definition from practice
A clear, hands-on definition of AI agents - what they are, how they differ from chatbots, when they work and when they don't. Written by a Professor of Applied AI.
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Apr 9, 2026
Welcome to the new site
A short note on why I rebuilt kay-rottmann.de from scratch.
Get in touch
Have a project in mind?
Whether it's a consulting engagement, a guest lecture, or just a good conversation about AI - I'd love to hear from you.