New Research Center for AI in Science & Society at the University of Bayreuth

The University of Bayreuth has launched a new research infrastructure: the Research Center for AI in Science & Society (RAIS2). This central platform for sharing AI expertise at UBT connects researchers, developers and users of AI methods across all faculties. Here, experts jointly address the current social, economic, ecological and technological challenges and opportunities that AI brings with it.

“With RAIS², we are focusing on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary scientific collaboration, as is typical for the University of Bayreuth,” says University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible. “The aim is to advance the topic of artificial intelligence beyond the boundaries of the various scientific disciplines, in connection with partners in the region, and also in a social discourse.” The research center is intended to contribute to scientific progress in this field and also provide impetus for teaching, knowledge transfer and science communication. Specifically, the research center consists of the following interdisciplinary pillars at the time of its foundation, which are to be further expanded in the future:

1. AI Technology (Lead: Prof. Dr. Anton Schiela) - The theoretical and methodological basis for RAIS2 activities in research and teaching is bundled here.
2. AI for Life Sciences (Lead: Prof. Dr. Jörg Müller) - This pillar combines both the expertise in the identification and development of AI methods for answering questions in the life sciences and the acquisition of knowledge in the life sciences using artificial intelligence methods.
3. AI for Materials (Lead: Prof. Dr. Johannes Margraf) - The combination of AI in materials science and experimental materials research illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of the Bayreuth campus. A unique selling point with national and international visibility is expected.
4. AI for Business and Industry (Lead: Prof. Dr. Agnes Koschmider) - The importance of and the volume of data is also continuously increasing in business and industry, which increases the demand for methods to analyze data efficiently and use artificial intelligence effectively. This pillar is specifically dedicated to these applications, also in close cooperation with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Bayreuth. 
5. AI in Society (Lead: Prof. Dr. Lena Kästner) - Modern AI systems are increasingly permeating our everyday lives. Against this background, this pillar poses the question: What impact does the widespread use of AI have on modern society?
6. AI for Environmental Sciences (Lead: Prof. Dr. Lisa Hülsmann) - The aim is to use the increasing wealth of data to gain knowledge and make predictions on environmental issues and to develop solutions for current problems such as climate change, environmental pollution, habitat loss and species extinction.