AI and sustainability

A contest to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using AI today.

Following the success of „Hidden AI“, we are continuing our successful cooperation with Berlin Science Week this year and will create an exciting and innovative competition with a poster session presentation.

The future of science is being shaped by today’s students and curious young scientists.

It is therefore only consistent that we promote active, controversial and transparent dialogue with and between young scientists and established experts in order to sustainably link innovation and knowledge transfer and thus shape our future.

Together with Berlin Science Week we invite all inquisitive, curious and critical young scientists and students to take part in the “Rethinking Freedom” competition.

Why “Freedom”?

The motto of the Science Year 2024 – initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research – is “Freedom”. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the German Basic Law and 35 years since the Peaceful Revolution, freedom will be examined in all its facets for a whole year. Among other things, one main focus will be the question: What does the use of artificial intelligence mean for our freedom?

This year the Berlin Science Week is dedicated to the “Common Ground,” that is, the shared values, beliefs, and goals that people hold despite their individual differences. A common foundation is necessary to protect and promote everyone’s freedom. Consensus on fundamental values and norms, such as respect for freedom of speech, equality, and the rule of law, forms a framework within which people can exercise their freedoms without infringing on the rights of others. Accordingly, it is essential to critically question common assumptions and prejudices that challenge these values. Particularly with artificial intelligence, which relies on existing data, biases and inequalities can be perpetuated, leading to unfair and unjustified algorithmic decisions. In this way, the use of artificial intelligence impacts the freedom of every individual.

Therefore, our 2024 project also addresses the topic of freedom. Under the motto “Rethinking Freedom”, we invite all students and young scientists from Berlin and the surrounding area to submit their project ideas and drafts via application from.

About the competition

The rapidly evolving technologies challenge research and science, industry and civil society alike to innovate and develop. The correlations between artificial intelligence and our freedom are manifold. They range from questions of personal autonomy and privacy to ethical and economic aspects as well as governmental regulation.

This is where the “Rethinking Freedom” competition aims to highlight ideas and approaches that take a science-based look at the consequences of the use of artificial intelligence on freedom. Students and young scientists are invited to submit their project ideas and drafts from the field of artificial intelligence that have not yet been implemented. The focus is on the following key questions:

  • How does the use of artificial intelligence affect our freedom?
  • Can artificial intelligence protect our freedom, or does it harbour dangers?
  • What specific applications and solutions exist in the area between scientific research on artificial intelligence and freedom?
  • What significance does the use of artificial intelligence have for civil society?

The submitted works will be evaluated by a five-member jury of experts from science and research:

  • Johanna Sieben, Director of the Cluster “Public Sector & Engagement”, Falling Walls Foundation,
  • Dr. Aljoscha Burchardt, expert in language technology and artificial intelligence, Principal Researcher, Research Fellow and deputy spokesperson of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Berlin,
  • Katja AnclamAI-Strategist, Managing Director of the German Institute for Good Life (difgl), Executive of female.vision e.V. 
  • Gerrit Rößler, International Affairs and Science Communication, Berlin Senate Department for Higher Education and Research, Health and Long-Term Care,
  • Katy Gaffney, winner of the 2023 competition, Junior Manager Copyright Data Automations at BMG Music Management and Machine Learning Engineer 
  • and Bengisu Berispek, winner of the 2021 competition and founder of the Sustain.ALL Labs at TU Berlin

The evaluation criteria are:

  • Comprehensibility
  • Applicability
  • Innovative approach
  • Scientific character
  • Sustainability

All submissions will receive a detailed jury feedback. The best applications will receive detailed instructions for post-processing and will be prepared as A0 sized posters.

On 1st and 2nd November 2024, the best papers will be presented to the jury during a poster session at the Berlin Science Week CAMPUS at Natural History Museum (Museum für Naturkunde) Berlin. The best rated work will be showcased to a broad audience with representatives from science, business, politics and civil society at the Speakers’ Corner of the Berlin Science Week CAMPUS.

Why apply? Young scientists are given the opportunity…

  • … to present their project to a broad audience with representatives from civil society, science, business and politics,
  • … to get to know other new ideas and young as well as established scientists,
  • … to enter into an exchange with established experts and a broad public,
  • … to receive a participation certificate that you can use for future applications or similar
  • … to become visible as part of Berlin Science Week and in the media,
  • … to participate in the Science Year 2024.

Click here for the Call for applications 

“Brain City Berlin” as a versatile and innovative centre of ideas: In addition to exciting, entertaining presentations of the research topics presented, the competition creates a forum for encounters between science and civil society. The attractive presentation of the research topics on posters involves all visitors – both researchers and interested citizens – in the discourse and ensures easy access to scientific topics.

Become a partner of the project and support us in promoting young scientists!

As a cooperation partner and sponsor …

  • … you will help to add an exciting facet to Berlin as a centre of science,
  • … you will contribute to promoting young scientists,
  • … you will gain a wide coverage among young people in Berlin and the surrounding area,
  • … you will get to know innovative ideas and projects,
  • … you will enter into dialogue with other committed people, experts and interested parties on the topic of AI and freedom.

If you are interested, please contact Rita Sosedow.

 

About our partner:

Berlin Science Week: Every year, between 1 and 10 November, BerlinBerlin Science Week 1-10 November 2024 becomes a nexus for celebrating scientific excellence, knowledge and discovery, and promoting innovative exchange. Berlin Science Week brings together more than 500 speakers, over 150 organisations and an audience exceeding 20,000 during the ten festival days.

The festival combines in person formats throughout Berlin with online and hybrid events. Our focus is on exchange and reflection: the programme is based on interactive and often interdisciplinary formats ranging from panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, to VR-experiences, film screenings, music installations and much more. Internationally renowned scientists and institutions contribute to topic tracks reflecting the current challenges and debates in science and society.

PinguinDruck.de Poster printing with kind support from Pinguin Druck.

 

About our partner:

Berlin Science Week: Every year, between 1 and 10 November, Berlin becomes a nexus for celebrating scientific excellence, knowledge and discovery, and promoting innovative exchange. Berlin Science Week brings together more than 500 speakers, over 150 organisations and an audience exceeding 20,000 during the ten festival days.

The festival combines in person formats throughout Berlin with online and hybrid events. Our focus is on exchange and reflection: the programme is based on interactive and often interdisciplinary formats ranging from panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, to VR-experiences, film screenings, music installations and much more. Internationally renowned scientists and institutions contribute to topic tracks reflecting the current challenges and debates in science and society.