Visualization of an artificial neural network using a generative AI tool.

Of machines and men

How artificial intelligence is transforming our lives
Visualization of an artificial neural network using a generative AI tool.
Illustration: Midjourney

It began with a handful of people and their dream of developing machines that are our equals—that think like us, make decisions like us, and have the ability to learn from experience. Since the first basic learning computing machinery almost 100 years ago, enormous advances in artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have seen this technology gain a foothold in almost every area of our lives.

This is particularly true in the world of science. Academics in almost every discipline now use AI applications in both teaching and research. In this feature, we present the work of research teams at the University of Jena that are training and applying AI tools—and tackling the questions raised by these technologies that have long gone unanswered. These include the availability of data and energy resources, legal and ethical aspects of their use and, of course, how much influence we should allow AI to exert on our lives.

Editorial »Learn and let learn« 

Prof Dr Joachim Denzler is a specialist in computer vision and has co-developed an AI that automatically recognizes people's emotional facial expressions automatically (small picture).
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
The dream of the human machine
Interview: What exactly is AI?
Computer scientist Prof Dr Clemens Beckstein deals with symbolic AI and also with scientific-theoretical and philosophical aspects of AI.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
»Sapere aude!«
Interview: What can ChatGPT do and what would Kant say about it?
Prof Dr. Markus Reichstein and his team use AI methods to accurately forecast future weather events from historical climate data.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
Combating the climate crisis with AI
ELLIS Unit Jena improves the prediction of extreme weather events.
Illustration of a higher order tensor.
Illustration: Midjourney
In the engine room
Computer science team optimizes the cognitive process of AI.
Chemical glass flask with a transparent liquid and light effects
Illustration: Midjourney
AI in practice
AI tools and technologies in current research projects
Statt verstaubter Aktenstapel, effiziente digitale Prozesse – das ist das Ziel, das Informatikerinnen und Informatiker gemeinsam mit Partnern aus Forschung und Wirtschaft verfolgen.
Illustration: Midjourney
Digital building blocks for administration
Sustainable digital administrative structures using AI
The Vice-President for Digitization of the University of Jena, Prof. Dr Christoph Steinbeck (centre left), pictured here together with Prof. Dr Georg Pohnert (right), Interim President of the University and Vice-President for Research, during a tour of the Federal Government's »Digital Summit« on 21 November 2023 in the campus building.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
»We want to facilitate the use of AI«
Interview: AI in research and teaching
Die Idee, zur Erkennung chemischer Abbildungen KI zu nutzen, kam den beiden Forschenden Christoph Steinbeck (l.) und Achim Zielesny (r.) 2016, als die KI »Alpha-Go« den damals besten menschlichen Go-Spieler besiegte.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
From game boards to chemical AI tools
»DECIMER.ai« translates formulae into machine-readable code.
Edda Humprecht is Professor of Digital Communication and the Public Sphere. Her research covers topics including how disinformation on social media is changing society.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
How AI is transforming communication
Interview: AI and social media
These kittens are AI-generated. However, the AI is not considered an legal sense.
Illustration: DeepDream
Who owns AI-generated works?
How generative tools challenge copyright law.
Prof. Dr Christoph Demmerling
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Lacking consciousness and rationality
Ai is a tool and does not strive for »global domination«.
  • Ostracods of various sizes (Scale: bar equals 1 mm)
    Picture: Ella Quante
    Science photo AI identifies tiny seed shrimps as bioindicators