Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is omnipresent. Many people hope that AI can make work more efficient, better and more effective. However, it is not an easy task to integrate human and artificial intelligence well. While part of society welcomes AI, others remain skeptical. Although AI is already widespread, we still do not know how to use it optimally. The challenge is to use AI to achieve organizational goals as well as to improve the lives of every individual and increase satisfaction in society.

The Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence explores how humans and AI can collaborate most effectively. We investigate, design, and evaluate socio-technical systems that integrate human and artificial intelligence. Additionally, we develop methods and tools to successfully design and implement these systems in various contexts.

Our focus extends beyond the technology itself, emphasizing the optimization of interaction between humans and AI. We particularly concentrate on complex workflows and decision-making processes in business, politics, and society.

In short, we want to explore the integration of human and artificial intelligence in different areas of life and enable the best possible design of this interaction.

The Chair of Artificial Intelligence offers a diverse range of courses focusing on both the fundamentals and potential applications of AI. Students gain insight into the functioning of socio-technical systems and learn to design systems that integrate human and artificial intelligence effectively. They develop a comprehensive understanding of how these systems operate and how to optimize the collaboration between humans and machines. Interdisciplinarity plays a crucial role in this process, as social, political, cultural, and psychological dimensions are equally important as the technology itself in developing such systems. This approach allows students to contribute their individual strengths while cultivating a critical perspective on prevailing technological narratives.

Project-based and research-oriented learning are integral components of this teaching program. Throughout the courses and individual modules, students are given ample opportunities to apply their knowledge to practical and scientific issues. They employ both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods to examine existing data or data they have collected themselves. Using design thinking, students learn to understand critical challenges from the stakeholders' perspectives. They follow design science research or research through design approaches to solve problems by creating innovative socio-technical systems. Moreover, they acquire methods for systematically researching and evaluating the use of such systems. Whenever possible, students are involved in ongoing research projects, allowing them to collaborate with partners from both industry and academia. This involvement not only provides valuable experience for their future professional lives but also helps them establish important connections to companies.