Joint Doctoral Forum AI in Academia - Report

It may not be a given in these times in the “state” of Styria, but for us as Doctoral Academy Graz at the Universität Graz, it is indisputable: A facts-based, interdisciplinary and internationally oriented analysis has to be the basis for every engagement with current developments and upcoming topics – however challenging or even fear-inducing they may seem. 
The Joint Doctoral Forum “AI in Academia” (Nov 28/29, 2024) – which I had the pleasure to co-organise and host – provided a fine example of such open-minded, research-informed, and border-crossing thinking. 

The keynote of the first day (open to the general public) was held by Isabell Piantschitsch, a postdoc researcher at the Physics Department of the University of Graz and leader of the research project “Deep Learning & Philosophy”. In her thought-provoking talk, Isabell Piantschitsch asked fundamental questions: Are methods such as machine learning and deep learning scientifically valid? And in what ways are AI methods comparable to more traditional scientific methods, such as experiments or computer simulations?

In the panel discussion, hosted by the AI expert (and outstanding communicator) Andreas Windisch, three doctoral researchers gave insights into their doctoral projects: 
Lea Dobrec (Rijeka) investigates in her thesis how Artificial Intelligence can be used to support language acquisition in children with autism. 
Magdalena Eder (Graz) focuses in her thesis on the principle of legality and data protection in the context of AI. 
Matej Glisovic (Ljubljana) is working in his doctoral project on AI-based remote maritime pilotage, i.e., he wants to make it possible for the pilot of a vessel to be only virtually present on the bridge.

In her input “Analyzing Journal Abstracts with Orange”, Ajda Pretnar Žagar, a postdoc at the University of Ljubljana, gave highly interesting insights into AI-supported literature reviews (so long, card catalogue!). Finally, Sasa Zelenika, Vice-Rector for Strategic Projects at the University of Rijeka, gave – based on a comprehensive overview of applications fields and ethical issues related to AI – an overview of the University of Rijeka’s “AI Tools Usage Policy”. 

Day 2 (for selected participants) consisted of presentations of 18 doctoral researchers from the University of Ljubljana, Sveučilište u Rijeci / University of Rijeka, and the Universität Graz. These presentations were organised in the following clusters: AI in Science and Education; AI in Law and (Digital) Humanities; AI in Art, Linguistics, and Social Sciences; AI Applications in Medicine, Technology, and Environment.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of this exciting event