Method of integrating a function block with artificial intelligence

A method of integrating at least one artificial intelligence (AI) function block, which comprises artificial intelligence, into a controller for an industrial machine, wherein, in the method,

• for the AI function block, an AI model is selected for execution in the AI function block,
• the AI function block is linked in an at least partly automated manner to further function blocks of control software of the industrial machine,
• the AI function block is brought to execution in an at least partly automated manner, wherein the execution of the AI function block takes place by means of an IEC 61499 runtime environment;
• and
• the AI function block and the further function blocks are function blocks in accordance with IEC 61499;
• wherein:
• the AI function block comprises:
• a runtime container, which provides the IEC 61499 runtime environment, and an AI container in which the artificial intelligence is executed, wherein the runtime container and the AI container communicate with one another;
• the communication interfaces between the AI container and the runtime container are automatically configured;
• for the configuration of the communication interfaces between the AI container and the runtime container, the inputs and the outputs of the AI model are determined and the communication interfaces between the AI container and the runtime container are adapted to the inputs and outputs;
• the control software is executed on a plurality of different computing devices connected by means of a data network;
• and
• one of the computing devices of the plurality of different computing devices is selected in an automated manner for the execution of the AI function block.