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AI Winter School for Doctoral Students

2026-11-02 Under the title “Navigating Generative AI in Academia and Society,” the AI Winter School at Leuphana, taking place December 1–4, will focus on the impact of AI on research, society, and democracy.

AI Winterschool poster ©Leuphana
The program is structured around three fundamental questions: How does artificial intelligence work? What effect does it have? And how can I use it to my advantage?

Artificial intelligence is changing not only everyday life but also, increasingly, the world of science. How do AI systems work? How can they be put to good use in scientific work? What are the consequences of their use for research, society, and democracy? These are the questions addressed by the Leuphana AI Campus’s four-day, English-language AI Winter School.
The program is aimed at doctoral students. The focus is not solely on the practical application of AI tools. “Above all, participants should critically examine how artificial intelligence is changing scientific work and scientific communication,” says Lennart Brunkert of the Graduate School. The Winter School aims to encourage participants to consider the societal impacts of AI and to examine these developments from both scientific and ethical perspectives. Among the guest speakers is Maximilian Kiener. The philosopher and professor at the Technical University of Hamburg conducts research on ethics and responsibility, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence. Annette Zimmermann has been invited to deliver the opening keynote; with her focus on “Democratizing AI,” she provides a strong starting point for the four-day event. The keynotes are open to the university community. The organizers welcome interested students and faculty members.
The program is structured around three fundamental questions: How does artificial intelligence work? What effects does it have? And how can I use it to my advantage?  In various workshops, participants can also explore specific applications—for example, for their own doctoral research or for teaching. Interactive formats are also planned. For instance, a playful learning approach (gamification) will be used to collectively reflect on the future of research. Additional hands-on sessions will give participants the opportunity to try out new applications for themselves.
The AI WinterSchool is also part of a closer collaboration between Leuphana and the Technical University of Hamburg. The partnership aims to promote exchange among early-career researchers at both universities.
Participation is free for doctoral students.