Project description

The goal of sustAInability is to explore the intersection of AI and sustainability from diverse disciplinary viewpoints. Embracing a comprehensive understanding of sustainability—encompassing ecological, economic, and social dimensions—the objective is to establish an innovative educational space. Here, students can delve into the myriad opportunities and challenges of AI-based applications within the broader context of sustainability. The focus is on critical reflection and translating insights into practical, application-oriented projects.

Sustainability and digitization are pivotal in contemporary scientific and political discussions. AI, in particular, has become a focal point, influencing various aspects of public and private life and intertwining with sustainability dialogues. AI offers opportunities, such as in energy transition and agriculture, while also presenting risks like high energy consumption and automated discrimination. There's a growing recognition that the rapid development approach, epitomized by the Silicon Valley mantra "move fast and break things," is outdated and under scrutiny, even within Silicon Valley. Sustainability emerges as a key orientation for responsible AI development and use, requiring both sociological and technical perspectives. Breaking down disciplinary boundaries and fostering interdisciplinary teaching formats, exemplified by "sustAInability," becomes crucial for institutions, including universities, to navigate this evolving landscape. This format, a "Digitalisierungskolleg," guides students through self-study and seminars, encouraging them to develop practical solutions aligning AI with sustainability during a dedicated workshop week.

Teaching focus

The course is interdisciplinary and consists of computer science, political and social sciences as well as economics. The course follows the approach of challenge-based learning, after which students first acquire knowledge independently, then discuss it in seminar sessions and subsequently develop their own innovative solutions in groups.

• The course sustAInability is divided into self-learning components, seminar units and a workshop week.
• The teaching will focus on the three different dimensions of sustainability - ecological, economic and social sustainability - each in relation to artificial intelligence.
• The relationship between AI and sustainability will be considered from both sides: The possibilities and limitations of artificial intelligence in the application for more sustainability as on the one and the development of sustainable AI on the other hand.
• In addition to the students gaining specific knowledge, the aim of sustAInability is the acquisition of so-called 21st century skills such as competent handling of media, technologies, information and data or ability to solve problems creatively in a team.

Project team

Helene von Schwichow, Markus B. Siewert & Stefan Wurster