Exploring the opportunities and challenges of “AI in research and teaching” was the focus of this year’s institute retreat, held at Stift Sankt Georgen. Over two days, professors, postdocs, doctoral candidates, alumni, and students came together to exchange ideas on the potential of AI in academia. The event concluded with an action plan.

Written by Merna Tohfa and Christian Bettstetter.

Several workshops, talks, and presentations explored the latest AI tools and their applications in research and teaching. Staff members discussed how these tools can improve efficiency and support academic tasks. The discussions also addressed the challenges associated with AI adoption and potential solutions. As a key outcome, an action plan with specific measures for NES members to implement was developed to promote the responsible use of AI tools in the coming years.

Another highlight was the Alumni Panel, which brought together three institute alumni — Torsten Andre, Melisa Midžan, and Melanie Schranz — to share their perspectives on trends and challenges in industry, particularly in light of the growing demand for AI proficiency. The panel sparked discussions through the exchange of ideas. The retreat also featured an invited talk by Professor Stavros Toumpis, who presented practical and valuable techniques for incorporating AI tools into teaching and research. On the second day, a doctoral seminar was held, during which four doctoral candidates presented their topics and shared their ongoing work. In addition to the academic program, team-building activities provided opportunities to strengthen connections among NES members, encourage informal conversations, and enjoy some time to relax.

The event was organized by Fabian Schober, Muhammad Nasar Jamal, Merna Tohfa, and Kornelia Lienbacher.