FRIAS Express August 2019
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Dear FRIAS Community,
On 19 July 2019, the German federal government and federal states announced the winners of the German “Universities of Excellence” competition. The University of Freiburg was part of the select group of 19 final competitors, a great achievement already, yet will NOT be among the 11 institutions to receive additional funding from the German Research Foundation in the next seven years. This was a huge disappointment not only for the University as a whole, but also for FRIAS since many of you have been involved in the site-visit of the evaluation committee on March 20, 2019. LOOKING BACK» Freiburger Horizonte with Klaus Mainzer and Ottmar Ette In June and July, FRIAS hosted two Freiburger Horizonte lectures. On 24 June 2019, Klaus Mainzer, founding director of the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS) provocatively asked if artificial intelligence will replace human intelligence one day. The social impact of human-machine interactions has to be considered, now, and a social and legal framework for the development of artificial intelligence is necessary. 250 years ago, Alexander von Humboldt was born. On the occasion of this anniversary, FRIAS invited Ottmar Ette, professor for Romance literary studies at the University of Potsdam and renowned Humboldt expert. He took us on a journey through America by presenting extracts from travel diaries Alexander von Humboldt kept between 1769 and 1859. Ette demonstrated that Humboldt was way ahead of his time and uniquely combined approaches and perspectives from social and natural sciences. Both lectures are available as video podcast online
» Lunch Lecture Series “Intelligences” The lunch lecture series on “Intelligences. A multidisciplinary exploration of human and artificial intelligence” started in April. It was organized by the FRIAS Saltus! Group “Responsible Artificial Intelligence”. In 8 well-attended lectures, researchers from various academic disciplines like philosophy, psychology, computer science, and others, painted a kaleidoscopic picture of a topic that is as complex as it is controversial. On top of introductory talks on the state of the art of Human and Artificial Intelligence research, the series includes, among others, reflections on social intelligence, biases, and ethical and governance issues of various manifestations of AI. Rumour has it that the series will be continued next summer. Until then, you can watch video recordings of the lectures online LATEST PUBLICATIONS» FRIAS Alumni Club awards Best Publication Prize Congratulations to Sabine Hake for receiving the first “Best Publication Prize” awarded by the FRIAS Alumni Club. Her book The Proletarian Dream, published by De Gruyter, was elected by the club members from a shortlist of publications in the fields of humanities and social sciences. For the next round, members of the Alumni Club can submit their publications with FRIAS affiliation from the natural sciences for consideration. If you like to continue supporting FRIAS, of course you can do so by joining the FRIAS Alumni Club now.
LOOKING FORWARD» 300 Years Robinson Crusoe: Public exhibition in the University Library In 1719, Daniel Defoe published a novel that is still regarded as an absolute classic. The exhibition "300 years of Robinson Crusoe", curated by FRIAS Fellow Sandro Jung, offers insights into the much received and adapted work. The exhibits are on display until September 4, and can be visited free of charge on the first floor of the university library during opening hours. More information
» Two Junior Researcher Conferences in September 2019 Every year, FRIAS funds conferences held by junior academics at the University of Freiburg, who apply with a concept for a conference or workshop. FRIAS offers organisational support and funding. Two conferences will be held in September 2019 and registration is still possible: Heterodoxies between Rejection and Recognition in Modernity PEOPLE AT FRIAS» Federal Minister of Education, Anja Karliczek, invites Fellow Philipp Kellmeyer to discuss responsible artificial intelligence At the invitation of Federal Minister of Education Anja Karliczek, Fellow Philipp Kellmeyer participated in a panel discussion on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. Basis for the discussion was the question of whether artificial intelligence can save lives. In the medical sector, technologies like AI-based diagnostics are designed to reduce the workload of medical staff. Using AI in diagnostics and treatments opens up questions about trust and liability and stresses the need for a framework for developing these technologies. If you are interested in Minister Karliczek and Philipp Kellmeyer's perspective, watch the recording of the discussion. » Evi Zemanek receives Heisenberg Professorship We congratulate FRIAS Alumna Evi Zemanek on her new position as professor in the Department of Media Culture Studies at the University of Freiburg. Zemanek's research is part of the so-called “Environmental Humanities” that combine humanities research with environmental science and history. Her new position is a Heisenberg professorship funded by the German Research Foundation. The professorship is awarded to outstanding early career researchers to prepare for a scientific leadership position. More information DIRECTOR’S CORNERIn the past academic year FRIAS fellows, team and directors once again experienced many highlights, magic moments and thrilling developments. Just to mention a few examples: Our Research Focus “Responsible Artificial Intelligence” has set new standards in terms of university-internal and, above all, public (including political) outreach. They organized a host of public events, including established formats like talks or panel discussions, but also novel formats like street art on AI that, simply given their size and prominence in the cityscape, will continue to be highly visible in various parts of the city for a long time. Within the university, their lunch lecture series on “Intelligences” was the best-attended LLS ever, with an average of 80-100 participants. We were thus happy that the university granted our research focus the privilege of a continued funding until February 2021 – it’s great to have them (and their international co-fellows and guest researchers) in the house so much longer! |
- FRIAS Express
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