AI Horizon

Third time in #Munich with Microsoft this year, and guess what? No picture—too much going on to stop for one. Here’s a quick #recap instead: 1. Deep dive into the upcoming #horizonapp version 2 with part of our R&D team (Anna Wiewer, Sonja Kellner, Moritz Goeke, Marc Loewer and Michael Jülich)—covering #ResponsibleAI and #sustainability features, bot customization, fine-tuned models, and interaction design. Promising stuff. 2. Great conversation with Prof. Christoph Kern (LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) about #empirically validating our new sustainability feature in a joint project. 3. Franziska Sgoff shared an insightful presentation on #accessibility and #inclusion in AI. Excited to collaborate further to explore value collisions and emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusion as pillars of our #ResponsibleAIFramework. 4. Very interesting chat with Philipp Peron on AI in schools—image Turing tests, accountability, neural networks. 5. Brainstorming with Stephanus Schulte and Volker Leitzgen☁ on AI and #datasecurity. A topic that’s always evolving. 6. Shaping the AI Horizon narrative and catching up remotely with Britt P., Melanie Cripe, and Sinead Shields about the big picture in partnership with #MicrosoftTSI. 7. Quick pit stop at #AndechseramDom for food—because, priorities. Wrapped it all up with a stroll through the Munich #ChristmasMarket. 🎄   Thanks to our workshop participants: Franziska Sgoff, Philipp Peron, Christoph Kern, Stephanus Schulte, Ralph Schwörer, Joachim Nebel, Anna Wiewer, Sonja Kellner, Volker Leitzgen☁ and Michael Jülich.   Wishing everyone a #MerryChristmas and excited to keep building momentum in the new year. Stay tuned and follow us AI Horizon. #AIHorizon #EducationalFoundationFreiburg #Microsoft #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #Education #Learning #AzureAI #AIEducation #GenAI #AI #Education #TechForSocialImpact #MS365 #DeepLearning

Release of #HorizonV1 Imagine an educational experience that adapts seamlessly to each learner’s needs, with #ResponsibleAI guiding every step. With the launch of #HorizonV1, developed in cooperation between the Educational Foundation Freiburg and Microsoft’s Tech For Social Impact team, we’re taking a step toward that vision. Built on #AzureAI, this release isn’t just a tool; it’s the beginning of a dynamic, evolving #learningspace where Responsible AI is at the center, in which students and teachers actively engage with our team of experts. Who gets to explore it first? #Teachers and #students in our project already have access to Horizon V1, giving them a firsthand look at an AI environment crafted to enhance, not replace, human learning. A huge thanks to our voluntary contributors, Leon Kollofrath, Silas Stulz, Marc Loewer, Robert Tholen, Moritz Goeke, Michael Kokonowskyj, Niels Ophey, Sonja Kellner, Volker Leitzgen☁, and Michael Jülich. Curious about #HorizonV2 with new features, our #research group’s Responsible AI Framework, or our student-led projects? Want to see where our journey leads and stay connected with AI Horizon? Follow us on LinkedIn—we're happy to share our progress with you.   AI Horizon @ Educational Foundation Freiburg in partnership with Microsoft #AIHorizon #Microsoft #UNESCO #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #Education #Learning #AzureAI #AIEducation #GenAI #AI #Education #TechForSocialImpact #MS365 #DeepLearning

What happens when AI enters our school halls? That’s the question 200 students from the Educational Foundation Freiburg tackled during our AI Horizon student kick-off event—a launchpad for a year-long deep dive into the topic of AI. From AI-generated analyses of nonexistent poems to a song composed specifically for the workshop, AI was omnipresent in #Freiburg last week. Students and teachers from nearly all of the Foundation's schools gathered alongside the AI Horizon team and external experts to discuss how AI is transforming learning and daily life. Engaging with Artificial Intelligence The attending students consciously chose to participate in seminar courses focused on AI. They aim to contribute to discussions and decisions about the responsible use of AI in education. As one student from Bruchsal explained: “We all still have so much to learn about AI. And since this technology still scares me a little, the seminar course is a great opportunity to delve deeper into it at school.” Experts The workshop provided participants with the opportunity to explore AI in depth. Michael Brenner, who trains teachers on AI topics, showcased the potential of AI using school-related examples—including an excellent interpretation of a poem based on a nonexistent work by Goethe. In their presentations, Prof. Hannah Bast from the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau and Prof. Paul Lukowicz from the Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (DFKI) not only explained the technical foundations of AI but also discussed how AI should be critically examined by society. A Crucial Topic for Students' Futures The students identified key areas they wish to focus on in their respective courses moving forward. “Not only were the presentations and discussions exciting,” reported a student from Ettenheim, “but it was also a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people from other schools.” “The student kick-off event was an inspiring meeting,” affirmed principal Eberhard Pfister. “It was a successful start to a journey that will continue throughout the school year, during which our students will critically examine AI and responsibly weigh its opportunities and risks.” Students from Freiburg agreed: “Artificial intelligence will influence our lives; we want to know how to deal with it.” A student from Heidelberg added: “These seminar courses are not just about the future of learning but about our future as a whole.” The AI Horizon team thanks principal Pfister and his school, St. Ursula Schulen Wiehre, for providing a warm welcome in Freiburg. Want to see where our journey leads and curious about AI Horizon? Follow us…   AI Horizon @ Educational Foundation Freiburg in partnership with Microsoft & Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München #AIHorizon #Microsoft Zentrum für Ignatianische Pädagogik #UNESCO #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #Education #Learning #AzureAI #AIEducation #GenAI #AI

Our event in #Freiburg has begun. Two hundred students are exploring AI with their teachers, external speakers, and the #AIHorizon team. This marks the start of a year-long journey where we will critically reflect on AI, considering its opportunities and risks. We will share updates next week… Curious about AI Horizon? Check our previous posts for more information. #AIHorizon #EducationalFoundationFreiburg #Teaching #Learning #GenAI #Microsoft #AzureAI #AI #ResponsibleAI

What happens when 200 students meet in Freiburg to dive into AI alongside their teachers, the #AIHorizon team, and guest speakers Michael Brenner, Hannah Bast, and Paul Lukowicz? We're about to find out on **September 27th**. This isn't just a meetup—it's the kickoff of a year-long journey. For the first time, the group will use our freshly developed **#AIWebApp based on #AzureAI**, integrating cutting-edge technology into their seminar courses. We'll be sharing every step of this adventure right here. Want to see where this leads? Stick around and follow us. Curious about AI Horizon? Take a peek at our previous posts to catch up. #AIHorizon #EducationalFoundationFreiburg #Microsoft #AI #Edu360 #AIEducation #Teaching #ResponsibleAI

In the third part of our new introduction series, Michael Stuhlmüller talks about his role as a teacher in our project. What does artificial intelligence mean to you? As a technology enthusiast, I am thrilled to witness the latest developments around AI. At the same time, I notice that while the topic is omnipresent, it remains a mystery to many. This leads to the buildup of fears on one hand and the uncritical, sometimes nonsensical application of technology on the other. It is fascinating to note that while it was often assumed that the natural sciences would benefit the most from digitalization, the rise of large language models initially showed that these models quickly reached their limits in this field, while a wide range of applications was available for the humanities and languages. Although corresponding plugins have been developed, it remains essential to understand that the models we use have limitations and sometimes provide the most probable answer rather than the correct one. These probabilities are based not on the content of the question but largely on the words used. As a teacher, the topic of AI also presents a big challenge, as it develops so rapidly that it can be hard to keep up and stay current. Still, my goal is to educate both learners and teachers not only in the use of AI but also let them understand its functionality. In my opinion, this is necessary to fully exploit the chances of this technology and simultaneously accept and consider the limits of AI models, using them ethically and responsibly. In which area will you play a part at AI Horizon? My focus is on supporting both teachers and students in the use of AI and providing them with the necessary tools to use this complex technology effectively and beneficially. This also involves reducing fears and developing low-threshold offerings for users of all knowledge levels. I rely on the development and open exchange of best-practice examples with as many participants as possible. AI Horizon offers the opportunity to exchange ideas not only within one's class or school but also beyond these borders, to collaborate, and to develop new possibilities and concepts, thus shaping the school of tomorrow. What perspectives do you see for the use of AI in education? AI and the ongoing digitalization will deeply change education. However, I do not think that teachers can be replaced. Rather, I see a collaboration between dedicated and empathetic teachers and AI, acting as an individualized learning companion or tutor. Through this synergy, the use of AI can not only improve lessons but also promote individual learning success. Available to all learners and teachers AI can significantly advance educational equality and justice. However, it is essential to bear in mind that both students and teachers should be cautious and not accept every AI answer uncritically. Here, I see the foundation for the responsible and ethical use of technology in general and AI in particular.

Launching the #AIHorizonResearchGroup Following our decision during our Munich visit to collaborate with #Microsoft and #LMUMunich on developing a Responsible AI Framework for Education, the newly formed #AIHorizonResearchGroup, an essential branch of the broader AI Horizon Project, held its first meeting last week to discuss our collective approach. A special thanks to the participants: Kirstin Stiller, Moritz Weckbecker, Sonja Kellner, and Michael Jülich. We’re excited about the journey ahead. If you’re interested in joining our research efforts, please don't hesitate to reach out.   #AIHorizonResearchGroup in partnership with #EducationalFoundationFreiburg, #Microsoft, #LMUMunich #AIHorizon #UNESCO #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #Education #AIEducation #GenAI #research #techdevelopment

In the second part of our new introduction series, Bianca Lang talks about her role as a teacher in our project.   1. What does artificial intelligence mean to you? As a historian, for me the upcome of AI seems like the fourth major revolution in human history, standing alongside the past's transformative upheavals that brought profound progress and significant challenges. Just as the Neolithic Revolution demanded the acquisition of new skills, AI similarly requires us to learn new knowledge and develop entirely new abilities. At the same time, AI plays a crucial role in protecting and enhancing human life, particularly in fields like medicine. Unlike digitalization, which has primarily driven the shift toward a service-oriented society, AI challenges us with ethical and moral questions that deeply affect our self-perception and virtues. As we increasingly rely on AI for decision-making, there is an urgent need for unified regulations to guide all people within this new era - particularly the younger generations finding their place within. Therefore, I approach AI with an open yet critically reflective mindset.   2. In which area will you play a part at AI Horizon? In this AI project, my focus is on providing practical support to teachers and students as they navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence. I aim to demystify AI and reduce fears of its dominance by emphasizing its opportunities and benefits. I prioritize practical organization and support, enabling educators and learners to harness AI's potential effectively. A key advantage of AI is its ability to concentrate on the individual, providing personalized, puposive feedback at any time—something that is difficult to achieve in a traditional classroom setting. AI should be a valuable tool that enhances and complements human abilities without replacing them. Through specific initiatives, I aim to increase the understanding of AI and build trust in this technology, fostering a learning environment that nurtures technical and human development.   3. What prospects do you see for the use of AI in school lessons? In my opinion the greatest capability of AI used in education lies in classroom instruction, particularly functioning as a learning companion or tutor used at home. AI can improve customized instruction and, if being accessible for all students, can enhance equality of opportunity by addressing individual learning needs. However, despite these advantages, AI should never fully take over the role of the teacher. The human and personal aspects of teaching are irreplaceable. Teachers must remain vigilant not to delegate too many responsibilities to AI. While AI presents numerous opportunities, it also demands our responsibility to ensure that the learning process is always organized with the student's best interests in mind. This points up the vital role of educators in the responsible and ethical use of AI in education.   #ResponsibleAI #AIHorizon #Education #teachingwithAI

Enterprise Surface Laptop 7 and ARM @ AIHorizon We are happy to announce that the AI Horizon Team, part of an exclusive group, has received a brand new Microsoft Enterprise Surface Laptop 7 (Copilot+ PC) for #testing as part of the AI Horizon Project. This device features an #ARMProcessor by Qualcomm with local AI support through an integrated #NPU with 45 TOPs. Thanks to the developer integration provided by Qualcomm AI Hub, this opportunity allows us to explore the latest in technology. A huge thank you to Qualcomm and Microsoft, especially Sven Rubik, for making this next step possible. We look forward to our partnership, focusing on sustainability in our Responsible AI project in education. Check the results of our latest Responsible AI Workshop @ Microsoft in Munich: https://lnkd.in/d7BCPrG Stay tuned and follow us @ AI Horizon for updates as we continue to innovate and advance ethical AI practices in education. #AIHorizon #ResponsibleAI #SurfaceLaptop #ARMDevelopment #Qualcomm #Microsoft #Copilot #EducationInnovation #Sustainability #TeachingWithAI #AIEducation #GenAI #AI

🚀 AI Horizon @ Microsoft Germany in Munich 🚀 Last week, AI Horizon collaborated with Microsoft and LMU Munich to focus on Responsible AI in Education. Strengthening our partnership, we will establish an interdisciplinary #AIHorizonResearchGroup. Munich Meeting Highlights: Focus: Responsible AI aligned with UNESCO’s mandate on the ethical implications of Generative AI in Education. 
Activities: Strategic project considerations, AI architecture scoping workshop, and framework structure discussions. Preliminary Framework Perspectives: 1. Legitimacy: Normative foundation, such as a human rights approach. 
2. Legality: Compliance with the #EUAIAct; advance legal interpretation. 
3. Educational: Leveraging domain-specific insights. Normative Guidance:
 Building on these perspectives, our framework will be guided by normative principles, laws, rules, and educational insights to interpret key Responsible AI terms such as #Transparency, #Explainability, #EpistemicAgency, #Privacy, #Security, #Sustainability, #Accountability, and #Fairness. This approach will inform our AI infrastructure and design, emphasizing the interplay between normative and technological aspects of Responsible AI. Leveraging #AzureAI as our technological foundation, we will develop and share new concepts and ideas with Microsoft’s Responsible AI Team to directly influence the ongoing development of Azure AI’s Responsible AI toolbox. Research and Empirical Studies: We aim to open new research fields for #empirical studies, exploring our framework in action and the metadata related to AI’s social aspects. This includes participatory elements involving all project members, whether they are scientists, teachers, or students. Reciprocal Design Approach:
 Our design approach ensures direct implementation of results into our AI environment. Domain-specific concepts will be generalized and scaled to other areas, positioning AI Horizon as a #blueprint for Responsible AI in education and beyond. Expansion and Open-Source Development: 
To achieve our goals, we are expanding the AI Horizon project team with an independent #AIHorizonResearchGroup to develop an open-source framework supported by scientific papers. Interested in Our Journey?
 Follow us on LinkedIn or get in touch. Gratitude to our workshop participants: • Dr. Michael Jülich (Head of AI Horizon Project)
 • Sonja Kellner (MS Responsible AI and Researcher @ Social Data Science and AI Lab) • Prof. Dr. Christoph Kern (Social Data Science and AI Lab) • Leon Kollofrath (AI Engineer @ AI Horizon) • Thomas Langkabel (MS National Technology Officer)
 • Volker Leitzgen☁ (CTO - MS Tech for Social Impact) • Joachim Nebel (Director Educational Strategy @ AI Horizon) 
 #AIHorizon @ Educational Foundation Freiburg in partnership with Microsoft & LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München #AIHorizon #UNESCO #Microsoft #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #Education #AIEducation #GenAI #research #techdevelopment