Mon, 27 Jan / 14:00–17:00 / Generative AI in scientific practice? Ethics, explainability and sustainability

Ethical concerns about GenAI have given rise to broad discussions on its implications for good scientific practice. In face of intransparent algorithms, part I of the workshop focuses on questions of explainability in light of moral obligations for disclosure and transparency. Part II addresses matters of cultural bias and infrastructural power as sustainability aspects of GenAI relating to matters of scientific freedom and epistemic injustices. Next to condensed knowledge transfer, we rely on interactive exercises throughout the workshop, exploring prompt engineering practices, bias testing tools as well as capabilities of GenAI applications.

Objectives:

• Differentiate GenAI uses in scientific practice
• Gain insights into current discussions on the use of GenAI in science and research
• Understand epistemic risks associated with GenAI
• Reflect on transparency, explainability and sustainability of GenAI in relation to scientific accountability

Facilitators: Dr Anne Mollen (FB 06, ifk), Dr Stefan Roski (ZfW)
Venue: Zoom

Wed, 12 Feb / 14:00–17:00 / Get acquainted with ChatGPT: From understanding to using

Target group: The three-part workshop is aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who may have played around a bit with ChatGPT or other GenAI programmes, but otherwise have no experience and in particular no background knowledge of AI, machine learning or GenAI.

In Part 1, Peeling the Onion: From AI to Machine Learning to GenAI, participants will explore key questions like: Is AI the same as machine learning? What does it mean when machines ‘learn,’ and what makes learning ‘deep’? In Part 2, The Machinery of Large Language Models (LLMs), participants will learn how text is represented for machine learning models, how transformers are constructed and trained to generate meaningful texts, and will be introduced to other generative models. Finally, in Part 3, Closing the Circle, participants will apply their knowledge of LLM construction to effectively use LLMs in practical examples.

Objectives:

• Acquire essential key terms (e.g. AI, machine learning, deep learning) and background information useful throughout the workshop series (and beyond)
• Learn how text is represented and processed by machine learning models
• Understand the structure and training processes behind transformers
• Gain introductory knowledge of other generative AI models
• Gain hands-on experience with LLM usage

Facilitators: Dr Oliver Kamps (CeNoS, InterKI), Dr Katrin Schmietendorf (CeNoS, InterKI)
Venue: Zoom

Tue, 18 Feb / 09:00–12:00 / Using GenAI in the literature review process and analysis

Target group: This workshop is designed for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in all subject areas who aim to enhance their structural and systematic literature review skills by integrating generative AI tools. Prior experience in literature reviews is helpful but not required. Beginners with a curiosity for AI applications are welcome.

Participants will explore the capabilities and limitations of GenAI in supporting processes of literature reviews, covering key stages of the process – from defining research questions to extracting and synthesizing information. The session will introduce practical AI tools and prompts to assist with defining text corpora, generating research questions, developing search strings for databases, and synthesizing results. Hands-on exercises will provide participants with opportunities to experiment with these tools and prompts, allowing them to integrate AI into various stages of their literature review workflow.

This hands-on workshop will empower researchers to streamline their review process and elevate the quality of their analysis.

Objectives:

• Understand the structure and workflow of literature reviews and how AI can enhance that process

• Use AI in the formulation of research questions, search strings, and the exploration of innovative themes

• Use AI in the quality assessment, data extraction, and synthesis of findings

• Discover strategies for leveraging AI in coding and presenting research results

Facilitators: Dr Nils Beese (ULB), Dr Filipe Pessoa (CIT)
Venue: Zoom

Wed, 26 Feb / 14:00–17:00 / GenAI for innovation and knowledge transfer

TBA

Facilitators: Friedrich Bach (REACH), Jonathan Wandscheer (REACH)
Venue: Zoom

Do, 27.02. / 09:00–12:00 / GKI in der geisteswissenschaftlichen Forschungsmethodik: Qualitative Daten

Zielgruppe: Der Workshop richtet sich an Doktorand:innen und Postdoktorand:innen in den Geisteswissenschaften, die in ihrer Forschung qualitative Daten analysieren und dabei generative KI (GKI) als unterstützendes Werkzeug einsetzen möchten.

Wie kann generative KI die Analyse qualitativer Daten – z. B. Interviews, historische Quellen, literarische Texte, ethnografische Notizen – in den Geisteswissenschaften unterstützen? Dieser Workshop bietet eine Einführung in GKI-Tools und zeigt praxisorientiert, wie Daten vorbereitet, analysiert und interpretiert werden können. Es wird aber auch über den Einsatz reflektiert und es werden die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen dieser Technologien für die Forschung erkundet.

Ziele:

• Verständnis der Grundlagen von generativer KI (GKI) und ihrer Funktionsweise vor dem Hintergrund geisteswissenschaftlicher Forschung
• Fähigkeit, qualitative Daten methodisch für die Analyse mit GKI aufzubereiten
• Beispiele für die Anwendung von KI-Tools zur Analyse und Interpretation qualitativer Daten
• Kritische Reflexion über Chancen, Grenzen und ethische Aspekte von GKI

Veranstaltungsleitung: Ludger Hiepel (FB 02, IBET)
Ort: Zoom

Mon, 10 Mar / 14:00–17:00 / GenAI in teaching

Target group: The workshop is designed for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, offering an opportunity to systematically explore the integration of generative AI into teaching practices (focus on higher education) and to experiment with concrete applications, such as the use of chatbots.

The first part of the workshop focuses on learning mechanisms and pedagogical foundations of generative AI, critically examining its implications for knowledge dissemination and acquisition across various academic disciplines. The second part provides a demonstration of natural language chatbot functionalities in educational contexts and invites participants to investigate their potential applications in relation to their specific teaching scenarios.

Objectives:

Participants who successfully attend the workshop are able to

• understand how GenAI catalyses particular learning mechanisms (e.g., cognitive offloading, construction of narratives),
• reflect on how GenAI both addresses and exacerbates heterogeneity in higher education,
• explore key fields of application in academic teaching, including examination scenarios and
• transfer to own teaching scenarios and the associated epistemological frameworks.

Facilitators: Friedrich Bach (REACH), Dr Jan-Martin Geiger (FB09, Innovation und Transfer digitaler Lehre/REACH)
Venue: Zoom

Thu, 13 Mar / 09:00–12:00 / GenAI in research methodology: Quantitative data

Target group: This workshop is aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who may have played around a bit with ChatGPT or other GenAI programmes, but otherwise have little to no experience in applying GenAI to work with quantitative data.

After an overview of the capabilities and limitations of GenAI for data analysis, participants will explore data cleansing and pre-processing, exploratory and statistical analysis, data visualization, and reporting with GenAI. They will have the opportunity to test strategies and specific prompts using provided datasets or datasets of particular interest to them.

Objectives:

• Acquire background information on data analysis with GenAI
• Learn about capabilities and limitations of GenAI in this context
• Explore specific strategies for using GenAI for data ‘wrangling’, exploration, visualization and utilization
• Gain hands-on experience with GenAI for these purposes

Facilitators: Dr Martin Korth (IVV Naturwissenschaften, NWZ), Dr Filipe Pessoa (CIT)
Venue: Zoom

Wed, 19 Mar / 14:00–17:00 / Using GenAI to write and present academic content in English

Target group: The workshop is aimed at doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with a working knowledge of English who want to use English more confidently in their academic writing and presenting.

English is the language of academic research, teaching and publication, and you are expected to present and write fluently and appropriately in English. This can be a daunting task for a non-native speaker. In this workshop, you will be introduced to generative AI tools that can help and support you. We will look at text revision with specific AI tools, ideally using your texts. We will also explore AI tools to create and revise slides, and practise presenting in English within the framework of Anglo-American academic conventions.

Objectives:

• Acquire specific techniques to revise academic texts with the help of AI tools

• Gain insight into English academic writing conventions to evaluate AI output

• Acquire specific techniques to improve presentation skills in English

• Gain insight into English academic presenting conventions to adapt AI output

• Understand the uses and limits of AI tools to create and revise output in English

Facilitators: Heike Mersmann-Hoffmann (Sprachenzentrum)
Venue: Zoom