AI-generated version of Auguste Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" in female form and as a collage with a computer chip
Semester question

Do we know what AI will know?

Since ChatGPT took the world by storm, the conversation around artificial intelligence has entered the mainstream. Are we at the beginning of a golden age of knowledge? Or will it all turn out differently?
4. April 2024
Artificial Intelligence

Moraliser, plagiarism engine, miracle machine: How well do we know AI?

The breakneck speed at which artificial intelligence is developing makes it difficult to predict where it is heading. Our researchers say: Instead of getting ever bigger and faster, we should now take the time to really understand AI.
28. March 2024
Rudolphina Reads

"Why AI Undermines Democracy" by Mark Coeckelbergh

How do we keep AI from disrupting the foundations of democracy? Mark Coeckelbergh, Professor of Philosophy of Media and Technology at the University of Vienna, explores this question in his latest book. He argues that there is no need for doom-thinking and outlines possible solutions for richer participation in a functioning democracy.
22. February 2024
Water management

AI detects river pollution

Various human activities affect the quality of our lakes, rivers, groundwater, and oceans. When harmful chemicals enter our waters, it is crucial that these are identified as soon as possible. This is at the core of the "SWAIN" project, which is taking a totally new approach using artificial intelligence.
20. September 2023
AI ethics

Why we need global governance frameworks for artificial intelligence

An interdisciplinary body of experts, including three academics affiliated with the University of Vienna, supports Austria in the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Rudolphina asked them why AI governance requires a global approach and which possibilities and risks this entails.

Semester question 2024: Do we know what AI will know?

Artificial intelligence is changing our perception of knowledge and learning, of knowledge production and knowledge transfer. Is AI shaking the very foundations of our knowledge, fuelling fake news, conspiracy theories and the crisis of democracy? Or are we at the cusp of a golden age of knowledge, with AI opening up new opportunities to solve the the most pressing issues of our time?

Over the course of one semester, experts from the University of Vienna will discuss how our society can benefit from the new technology and why academic research and education play a central role in this process.

About the Semester question

Each semester, the University of Vienna poses its academics a question that is of particular relevance to today’s society. You can find all current contributions by the University of Vienna’s academics in the Rudolphina magazine (in German) or on our social media channels under #semesterfrage.The University of Vienna runs this project in cooperation with the Austrian daily newspaper "Der Standard" – starting with online contributions and ending with a closing event at the end of the semester.