AI in focus: freedom or control? Haaß-Talk on May 15th!

AI in focus: freedom or control? Haaß-Talk on May 15th!

On May 15, 2025 at 4 p.m., the RPTU in Kaiserslautern invites you to the Haaß Talk, which will focus on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern societies. The lecture, given by Armin Grunwald, Professor of Philosophy of Technology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is entitled “Artificial Intelligence – Threat or Promotion of Human Freedom?” The event takes place in the rotunda, building 57 on campus. Admission begins half an hour earlier, at 3:30 p.m., and entry is free, but registration is required.

Grunwald will address the central question of whether AI can promote our freedom or make us objects of machine decisions. In his analysis, he assesses the dual nature of technology: on the one hand, AI offers support, on the other hand, it poses potential threats to human autonomy. He calls for an anthropological return to humans in order to better understand and control the effects of AI on society. This perspective is supported by the ethical guidelines of the German Ethics Council, which recommend the responsible use of AI systems to strengthen human judgment and digital maturity. Registration for this event can be done via the RPTU website.

Ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence

The debate over the use of AI is not new, but it is gaining urgency as the technology becomes increasingly ubiquitous. Alena Buyx, Chairwoman of the German Ethics Council, emphasizes that AI should not reduce human development, but rather expand it. It shows that technologies play a role in many areas of life, such as medicine, education, and social and legal contexts.

The Ethics Council advocates responsible use of AI and emphasizes that AI cannot replace human intelligence and responsibility. Julian Nida-Rümelin, deputy chairman of the Ethics Council, explains that it is crucial to understand the interactions between people and technology. Questions arise that concern authorial responsibility and human actions.

Recommendations and strategic approaches

In its recommendations, the Ethics Council examines specific areas of application such as medicine and school education. For the medical sector, he emphasizes the need for quality assurance of AI products and the protection of patient privacy. In the education sector, AI systems are intended to support learners' social interactions and skills.

For public communication, the further development of rules for online platforms and access to platform data for research are required. In the context of public administration, the Ethics Council sees civil rights and protection against discrimination as essential. The principles of these ethical guidelines are intended to help minimize risks and exploit opportunities responsibly.

Overall, a clear demand is made: AI should be used to support decision-making without losing human control options. The interests of those whose data is processed in AI applications must be taken into account in order to prevent excessive invasions of privacy and promote the use of data for the public good.

For further information and to register, please contact Dr. Matthias Heyck, Department of Social Sciences at the RPTU in Kaiserslautern, is available. He can be reached on 0631 205-2463 or by email at matthias.heyck(at)rptu.de.