University of Kassel successful in federal and state AI funding project

The University of Kassel was successful with its application for the individual project "Promoting subject-specific and interdisciplinary competencies through sociotechnical design of hybrid intelligence systems flexibly and individually". In this way, it wants to support learners with AI in building and developing important additional skills - such as empathy and digital media skills - in parallel with subject-specific content. "I am delighted with the success of the project. Scientists and scholars at the University of Kassel are researching the use of artificial intelligence in various fields. This project also contributes to the understanding of how artificial intelligence can support society," says Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey, President of the University of Kassel.

The research project is located at the Scientific Center for Information Technology Design (ITeG) and is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Matthias Söllner from the Department of Business Informatics and Systems Development of the Faculty of Business and Economics (FB07) at the University of Kassel. Also involved are the departments of General Psychology by Prof. Dr. Ralf Rummer (FB01), Developmental Psychology by Prof. Dr. Mirjam Ebersbach (FB01), Public Law, IT Law & Environmental Law by Prof. Dr. Gerrit Hornung (FB07), Business Informatics by Prof. Dr. Jan Marco Leimeister (FB07), and the Department of Mechanical Engineering represented by Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Hartmuts Hetzler. "We are very pleased about the funding and look forward to supporting our students even more in the next four years in the development of important professional and interdisciplinary skills, through intelligent use of AI-based systems, as well as lecturers and fellow students," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Matthias Söllner.

Key technologies of the future

"Artificial intelligence is one of the key technologies of the future. Thanks to it, computers are learning new skills that will enable us to better meet challenges - for example, in medicine or in the fight against climate catastrophe," explains Science Minister Angela Dorn. "This makes it all the more necessary that we train more academic specialists for industry and science in the field of artificial intelligence and promote the use of artificial intelligence to improve higher education. With the federal-state funding, the four universities can build up a corresponding range of courses. And they will get even more tailwind: Hesse has already concluded a digital pact with the universities that is unique in Germany, with a volume of 112 million euros up to and including 2024, plus 38 million euros for the establishment of the cross-university Center for Artificial Intelligence. It is jointly supported by 13 Hessian universities of different types of higher education institutions and thus combines their respective strengths, from strong basic research to subject-specific expertise and practice-oriented research, including integration into teaching."

Leading address for AI-based innovations

"For artificial intelligence, the key technology of the 21st century, to serve people and advance the economy, we need bright minds. Tomorrow's skilled workers are learning about AI and with the help of AI today. The federal and state funding competition addresses both aspects. I am delighted about the success of our Hessian universities, which will sustainably strengthen 'AI made in Hessen' in the educational sector that is so important to us and which will contribute to Hessen continuing to be one of the leading addresses for AI-based innovations," emphasizes Hessen's Minister for Digital Strategy and Development, Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Matthias Söllner
University of Kassel
Department 07 -Economics
Department of Information Systems and Systems Development
Tel. +49 561 804-3450
E-mail: soellner[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 561 804 -1961
E-Mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de