„AI only works if it works for all:“ International Week at the UAS Technikum Wien
27 May, 2024
On behalf of University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, the International Office welcomed 40 colleagues from 14 countries to our annual International Week Friend or Foe? Unleashing the Creative Power of (Generative) AI in May 2024.
(Generative) AI is reshaping the way we live, teach, and learn. And while AI has definitely arrived in higher education teaching, lecturers and students remain at the center: in addition to specialist knowledge, students need numerous skills and competencies for a critical, reflective, and confident approach to (generative) AI.
„Always use Generative AI, but only when you know the answer already before.“
Program Director Master AI Engineering
In order to discuss this cutting-edge topic not only in-house, but gather expertise from all over the world, the International Office welcomed 40 colleagues from 14 countries to the International Week on AI: Friend or Foe? Unleashing the Creative Power of (Generative) AI in May 2024.
The annual event gave room to delve into the captivating world of generative AI in education and research. Key notes and sessions gave insights into how colleagues have implemented generative AI in their teaching and research and provided practical strategies to integrate it in higher education institutions. It also explored how generative AI affects the requirements of qualification profiles of graduates and how to handle AI “responsibly.” Through engaging discussions and networking opportunities, like-minded professionals from partner institutions worldwide explored the potential of generative AI to revolutionize teaching methodologies and research practices – and its challenges. In the end, all the guests were convinced by the transformative power that generative AI poses for education and research.
„Our task is not to prevent technology, but to enable it.“
Lecturer
In order to allow some time for networking and a more informal exchange, the program was complemented with an afternoon of lab visits through the Digital Factory as well as the Smart Living Lab. In addition, colleagues from Switzerland, Sweden and Portugal brought some delicacies along. One of the many highlights marked the apricot dumpling bake-off with the managing director and rector of UAS Technikum Wien. An international fair on Wednesday gave students and staff members the opportunity to mix and mingle. The week ended with a closing dinner hosted by rector Sylvia Geyer and managing director Florian Eckkrammer at Salonplafond.
„AI only works if it works for all.“
The week was hosted a ökoEvent (eco-friendly event).
A report on the international week 2023, you will find here.
Do technicians need to think about ethics?
Photos © Fabian Orner
