Online Events - CityLabs Lightning Bites: How AI is changing the way we work, teach and learn

September 11-13 (1:30-2:30pm CET Mon-Wed)

Registration is now closed. For last-minute signups, email the organizers here to get session Zoom links!

In this era of digital transition, there is no doubt AI is and will continue to change how we are working, teaching and learning. These talks will consider the diverse perspective and cross-cutting implications of AI for learning - from literacy to ethics, from course design to skills development, from the future of work to the student experience today, from learning environments on campus to learning cities. Join us for a week of bite-size lightning talks where we explore what are the challenges and opportunities ahead, and ask what one thing can we do now to help us navigate the transition?

Speakers include:

• - Prof. Gilles Louppe (University of Liege)

"The Elegant Simplicity of Deep Neural Networks": Contrary to popular belief, the underpinnings of deep learning are rooted in surprisingly simple mathematics. Through a clever combination of functions and parameters, deep neural networks manage to discern patterns in vast amounts of data. This presentation will unveil these foundational equations and showcase how something so straightforward powers cutting-edge innovations in artificial intelligence.

• - Michele Murgia (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

“EUR GPT” is a community driven human-centric language model for research and education where the date collection, training and deployment of the model is based on the inputs and needs of Erasmus University Rotterdam staff and students. The description and implications of this innovative model for the use of AI in Higher Education will be discussed.   

• - Dr. Jari Laru  (Ph.D, M.Ed.) (University of Oulu)

AI Literacy: what does AI Literacy mean, why does it matter, how can one train AI Literacy skills, what does that mean in practice in the context of higher education?

• - Dr. Ferah Özer (Koc University)

AI tools such as ChatGPT, is now here to stay and they have the potential to impact the entire teaching-learning processes, from designing to delivering, especially in higher education contexts. This seminar will provide some insights and examples of ChatGPT, its integration into STEM and social sciences courses and ways for effective utilization in higher education courses.

• - Open Discussion on AI, facilitated by the University of Zagreb

During this session we will have an open discussion facilitated by the University of Zagreb on AI in general and the topics that were discussed during previous lightning bites sessions. The session is open to all audiences, and it is not necessary to have attended a previous lightning bites session.

• - Dr. Martina Philippi (Paderborn University)

Although AI is a very specific technical topic, it is very much part of the social discourse. Both possible potentials and risks are widely discussed. A particular challenge is to systematize and prioritize the questions that arise: Which aspects absolutely have to be taken into account in order to understand and responsibly shape the change triggered by AI? The workshop attempts to provide an overview.