The organizers emphasized that traditional methods only have a limited effect in view of the rapid developments in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and that innovative approaches are required. The conference focused on solutions for how universities can develop the necessary flexibility and willingness to innovate in order to remain fit for the future.
Kerstin Mayrberger (University of Hamburg) highlighted the need for “organizational ambidexterity”, in which universities must develop the ability to balance stability and change. Ulf-Daniel Ehlers (Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University) presented a detailed competency model, which was developed on the basis of a comprehensive study of employees, defines domain-specific AI skills for different professional fields and comprises twelve important future competencies.
Innovative practical examples such as the Ethel project by Gerd Kortemeyer (ETH AI Center) showed how AI tools can be successfully used in university teaching to efficiently support the supervision of students. Daniel Markgraf presented the “AI Compass” at the AKAD distance learning university, an instrument that offers students practical guidance in the use of AI tools. Imanol Schlág from ETH Zurich highlighted the potential of the “Swiss AI Initiative” for the further development of language models that are used both in education and in the healthcare sector.
Aspects of open education were dealt with in particular in the context of an open track. As a member of the OER portal twillo, Klaus Wannemacher reported on the variable expectations regarding the adaptation of open education in economics teaching based on the results of a survey of economics lecturers at universities in Lower Saxony. The results of the quantitative survey, which will be published in the coming weeks, indicate a reluctance to adapt open learning materials in economics. Many of those surveyed showed little familiarity with finding, developing and providing open learning materials, while at the same time, junior lecturers in particular expressed high expectations for the future relevance of open educational resources. In the subsequent discussion, further government incentives for open educational practice at universities and future possibilities for AI-supported development of open teaching and learning materials played a role.
The successful annual conference provided a comprehensive overview of the innovative strength and adaptability of universities in the digital age and emphasized the need to establish agility and AI skills as cornerstones of modern education.