German firm Bosch closes artificial intelligence, research and development center in Israel

German firm Bosch closes artificial intelligence, research and development center in Israel

German firm Bosch closes artificial intelligence, research and development center in Israel

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/german-firm-bosch-closes-artificial-intelligence-research-and-development-center-in-israel/3953255

Publish Date: 2026-06-01 09:51:00

Source Domain: www.aa.com.tr

  • Bosch has decided to close its two research offices in Israel, marking the first closure of a Bosch facility abroad post-COVID-19 and reportedly the first known withdrawal by a major German company from Israel’s research ecosystem.
  • The closure decision was made in December and communicated to employees in January; it is driven by economic considerations and the trend of artificial intelligence (AI) expertise shifting to major hubs like China, the US, and Europe.
  • Bosch’s operations in Israel focused on AI, sensors, and automation, operating out of Tel Aviv and Haifa since its establishment through the Bosch Center for Artificial Intelligence in 2018.
  • The closure is expected to be finalized by the end of June, yet Bosch plans to maintain its commercial presence in Israel through existing subsidiaries.
  • Germany’s broader professional community, including experts and families, has shown reluctance to relocate to Israel post-October 7, 2023, due to the unstable environment created by ongoing warfare, affecting both operational certainty and the willingness to establish new operations.