Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Practice

Introduction to AI in Science

Explore the Power of AI to Improve Your Efficiency

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing scientific work. From literature searches to social media communication to brainstorming new research approaches – AI tools open up entirely new possibilities. Those who use these tools competently can not only gain time for their actual research work, but more importantly, significantly enhance the quality and reach of their work. This introductory workshop shows you how to leverage AI assistants effectively and unlock their potential for your specific needs.

Content and Goals

No prior experience in AI or computer science is necessary to join this introductory workshop. We will provide you with a solid foundation in using AI assistants, giving you a fundamental understanding of how generative AI works and what limitations it currently has. You will gain hands-on experience in applying AI to your daily research challenges and beyond. Additionally, we'll cover current regulations and ethical aspects to ensure compliance with good scientific practice and data protection.

This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the possibilities AI assistants offer. You will learn to:

Develop basic prompting techniques to make AI your personal research assistant.
Efficiently conduct literature searches and enhance your scientific writing with AI support.
Improve your science communication and create engaging social media content using AI.
Brainstorm more effectively with AI assistants and unlock their creative potential.
Critically assess AI outputs and understand possible pitfalls while following good scientific practice.
Leverage AI advantages while adhering to privacy and scientific integrity standards.

This workshop lays the foundation for working more effectively with AI and helps you discover how to leverage its potential for your research.

Transforming Science Communication with AI

Innovative Approaches for Engaging Your Audience

Artificial Intelligence is fundamentally transforming the landscape of science communication. Chatbots, language models, and AI-based image generators are opening up entirely new ways to convey research in an engaging and accessible manner. Those who master these tools can not only save time but also significantly enhance the quality and reach of their science communication efforts. At the same time, understanding the limitations and risks of these technologies is crucial. The responsible and effective use of these tools is becoming a key competency for anyone involved in science communication.

Content and Objectives

In this hands-on workshop, you'll discover how AI can enhance your science communication skills. You'll work with various AI tools and apply them directly to your research topics – from developing vivid analogies to creating compelling social media content. The workshop covers both the fundamentals of targeted communication and practical AI skills. No prior AI experience is required.

In this workshop, you'll enhance your communication skills and learn to:

Use AI to explain complex concepts clearly and in an audience-appropriate way.
Harness AI's creative potential for developing powerful analogies and metaphors.
Present your research concisely and convincingly with AI assistance.
Create engaging social media content about your research topics.
Leverage AI's benefits while maintaining data privacy and scientific integrity.

Self and Time Management in the Age of AI

From Personal Values to Sustainable Productivity

nachhaltiges Selbst- und Zeitmanagement mit KI

Doctoral researchers work in an environment defined by complex projects, fierce competition, and the constant demand to stay current in a rapidly evolving research landscape. They face high expectations from supervisors, and in many cases even stronger pressure from their own ambitions and high standards. Achieving long-term productivity while protecting mental health and well-being is therefore a core aim of sustainable self- and time management. It goes far beyond scheduling techniques: what matters is clarifying values, making deliberate choices about time and energy, and developing strategies for real progress without sacrificing health. Here, artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as a helpful ally, offering new possibilities for reflection, structure, and decision-making.

Content and Objectives

The workshop is highly interactive, combining group exchange, guided self-reflection, and the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI), complemented by trainer input. You will actively engage in exercises that encourage you to analyze your own working habits, experiment with strategies, and learn from peer discussions while exploring how AI can serve as a helpful ally in structuring and clarifying your approaches.

In this workshop you will strengthen your ability to combine productivity with well-being. You will learn to:

clarify your motivation, values, and long-term goals,
prioritize tasks and structure your work more effectively,
apply strategies for self-reflection and self-regulation,
develop approaches to better cope with stress, pressure, and competing demands,
use AI as a supportive ally for reflection, organization, and decision-making.

From Prompt to Co-Intelligence

Problem Solving and Reflective Thinking with AI

In the rapidly evolving landscape of research and academia, artificial intelligence (AI) offers more than just automation or data processing—it can serve as a co-thinker and learning companion in academic practice. Used strategically, AI can significantly enhance your academic workflow—by helping you generate new ideas, approach complex problems from fresh angles, and maintain momentum in self-directed learning. This workshop invites researchers to discover how AI can enrich their thinking and learning processes, making their academic work more reflective, innovative, and future-oriented.

Content and Objectives

This interactive online workshop is designed for researchers from all disciplines who are curious about using AI as a sparring partner in their academic practice. You will explore practical strategies for integrating AI tools—such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude—into processes like problem-solving, brainstorming, and autonomous knowledge acquisition. Through trainer input, hands-on exercises, guided reflection, and peer exchange, we will examine how AI can take on roles such as mentor, coach, or creative counterpart. No technical expertise or prior experience with AI is required—just openness to experimentation and critical reflection.

Participants will learn to use AI tools in a more reflective and creative way within their academic practice. They will be able to:

apply AI-based strategies to address complex academic questions,
systematically generate and refine ideas with the support of AI,
design effective workflows for self-directed learning using AI tools,
formulate targeted prompts to engage AI as a mentor, coach, or analytical counterpart,
apply and critically evaluate AI-generated content in accordance with principles of data privacy, transparency, and good scientific practice.

Coding with AI

AI-Powered Programming Tools for Research

This workshop is held in collaboration with Dr. Alexander Britz.

For many researchers, coding is an essential part of their work—whether it’s data analysis, modeling, or building complex applications. With the rise of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot, and Codeium, new ways of writing code have emerged: faster, more efficient, and often more intuitive. Those who use these tools with confidence can not only save time, but also enhance the quality and scalability of their research projects.

Workshop Content and Goals

This workshop is designed for researchers with coding experience—no prior knowledge of AI is required. Participants will gain hands-on experience in applying AI tools to real programming tasks, from generating ideas and writing code to debugging. Two experienced trainers will guide participants through a variety of interactive formats, including short inputs, live coding sessions, peer exchange, and guided exercises. Questions and examples from participants' own research practice are explicitly welcome and will be directly integrated into the session.

In this workshop, you will learn how to:

Use AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude, as well as code-specific tools like GitHub Copilot and Codeium, effectively in your workflow.
Craft precise prompts that produce readable and functional code.
Review AI-generated code with a critical and systematic approach.
Apply AI tools meaningfully in debugging, optimizing, and documenting code.
Reflect on and refine your own programming process using AI support.

This hands-on workshop offers new inspiration for working with code and AI—regardless of your prior experience with artificial intelligence.

Data Analysis with AI

From First Line of Code to Meaningful Visualization

This workshop is conducted in cooperation with Dr. Alexander Britz.

Data analysis is a core tool in scientific research—and programming languages like Python, R, or MATLAB are often essential. They enable researchers to structure large datasets, analyze them, and transform them into meaningful results. For many researchers, getting started with programming presents a challenge—time-consuming, technically demanding, and often intimidating.

With the emergence of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or GitHub Copilot, new possibilities are opening up. These tools help create appropriate code faster, automate typical analysis processes, and sustainably improve how you work with data—regardless of your experience level.

Content and Objectives

In this workshop, participants will gain hands-on experience integrating generative AI effectively into scientific data analysis. The format alternates between brief presentations, interactive exercises, experience sharing, and guided applications—all aimed at helping you tackle your research questions more efficiently using AI-assisted code. Two experienced trainers will guide the workshop and provide individualized support throughout the implementation process. The methods taught can be applied directly to your everyday scientific work. No prior programming knowledge is required to participate.

In this workshop, you will learn how to:

Leverage AI tools specifically for coding data analysis—even without prior programming experience
Understand how language models like ChatGPT can accelerate and simplify data analysis
Efficiently develop and customize generative code with AI support and apply reflective pair programming techniques
Identify potential errors and limitations in AI-generated analyses and evaluate them critically
Create and interpret visualizations and diagrams effectively with AI assistance

A workshop for anyone working with data who wants to explore the potential of AI responsibly and practically.

AI in Grant Writing

Strategies, Tools, and Ethical Guidelines for Using AI

This workshop is offered in cooperation with Prof. Daniel Mertens.

Acquiring external funding is a critical milestone in advancing your academic career. Yet writing grant proposals is often complex, demanding, and frustrating. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens up new possibilities for making academic writing more precise, strategic, and compelling: It can support literature reviews, gather relevant information, assist with text generation, help develop clear and persuasive narratives, and offer fresh perspectives on your work. When used effectively, AI significantly enhances the quality of grant proposals—ultimately strengthening your chances of securing funding—while ensuring alignment with the principles of good scientific practice.

Workshop Goals & Content

This workshop is led by two experienced trainers with extensive backgrounds in academic writing, grant acquisition, and the use of AI in both research and teaching. Using real-world examples from everyday research work, you’ll explore how generative AI can be meaningfully integrated into your writing process. Short inputs, hands-on exercises, and peer exchange create a dynamic and highly practical learning environment.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to make your grant proposals more impactful and efficient. You will:

Use AI to develop ideas, structure topics, and plan projects more effectively,
Research relevant information in a focused, efficient, and academically sound way,
Create persuasive proposals—from the first draft to refined revisions with a clear message and logical structure,
Incorporate feedback processes and automate repetitive writing tasks,
Use AI responsibly and in line with the principles of good scientific practice (e.g., DFG guidelines).

Next-Gen Job Seeking

Innovative AI Strategies in the Job Application Process

Discover how AI can transform your job search strategies. From optimizing your resumes and cover letters to mastering job interviews and effective job searching – the capabilities provided by artificial intelligence (AI) are transformative. Join us to explore the practical applications of AI in enhancing your employment opportunities.

Content and Goals

No prior experience in AI or job search technologies is required to participate in this workshop. We will delve into the use of AI tools, providing a comprehensive understanding of how AI can enhance personal job applications and interview preparations. You’ll gain practical experience in applying AI to optimize your documents and prepare for job interviews. Additionally, we’ll cover the ethical use of AI and data protection to ensure responsible practices.

In this workshop, you will learn about the possibilities offered by AI assistants in job search optimization.
You will be able to:

Enhance your resumes and cover letters using advanced AI-driven text generation.
Craft compelling motivation letters tailored to specific job roles with the aid of AI.
Train for job interviews using AI simulations to improve your communication and presentation skills.
Develop effective job search strategies utilizing AI to find and secure relevant job opportunities.

AI and Creativity

New Perspectives through Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way scientific research is conducted. The ability to generate seemingly infinite ideas can support scientists in developing research questions, forming hypotheses, and finding creative solutions to complex problems. In science communication, text and image generation tools help present complex information in a creative and visually appealing manner, reaching a wide audience. The possibilities of using these new tools are limited only by our own creativity.

Content and Goals

This workshop offers a hands-on introduction to the use of generative AI processes in various scientific fields. You will learn the basics of text and image generation and explore the diverse ways generative AI can enhance creative processes through demonstrated examples and practical exercises. You will work directly with the tools to create your own content, gaining a deep understanding of the practical application of these technologies.

In this workshop, you will learn how to harness the creative power of AI. You will learn to:

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence: Understand how AI generates texts, images, and ideas and how to precisely formulate AI prompts.
Brainstorming and Idea Generation with AI: Explore the use of AI tools to enhance your creative thinking and idea generation.
Creative Writing and Design Processes: Learn to use text and image generation AI for scientific writing and creating visual content.
Ethical Considerations and Copyright: Reflect on ethical and legal challenges in using AI-generated content.