Leuphana AI Campus (LAICA)

The primary target group is the students, who benefit directly from the new courses and are involved in the development of the work packages. The work packages (WPs) are structured along a vertical (basic, compulsory) and a horizontal axis (in-depth, optional) (see Fig. 1). These complement each other in terms of content in order to anchor AI in all study phases. 

WP 1: AI Literacy Module in the Leuphana Semester
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Burkhardt Funk, Bennet Etsiwah, Nicola Teuber

The foundational module “AI Literacy” to be developed will be integrated into the curriculum of the interdisciplinary Leuphana Semester, which is mandatory for all Bachelor students. The module focuses on both technical and societal aspects, aligned with the “understand” proficiency level of UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework and all perspectives of the Dagstuhl Triangle. The content and structure are based on extensive groundwork laid by the DataX and DataXtended projects, through which first-semester students at Leuphana have been taught Data & Digital Literacy since 2018. The goal is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the potentials and challenges of AI applications, and to enable them to use, design, and critically assess such applications in a responsible manner.

WP 2: AI Literacy in the Bachelor Complementary Studies
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Ulf Brefeld, Prof. Dr. Claus Pias

In the complementary studies programme, subject-specific AI Literacy seminars will be established. These offerings are tailored to varying levels of prior knowledge and lead to AI certificates.

WP 3: Minor in “Artificial Intelligence” for Bachelor Students
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Ricardo Usbeck, Martin Kohler

A new minor allows students from all disciplines (except for teacher training programmes) to pursue a comprehensive interdisciplinary specialisation in AI. Project-based learning, workshops, and a dedicated conference provide space for profile building.

WP 4: AI Literacy in the Graduate School’s Master Complementary and Doctoral Studies
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Simone Abels, Dr. Anja Soltau, Claudia Echelmeyer

In the Graduate School, AI Literacy will be integrated into the curricula via interdisciplinary modules in four new formats:

1. A profile-building AI Literacy track across the three complementary modules with societally relevant focuses;
2. An international, digital, and collaboratively designed Research>>AI Winter School for doctoral students, developed with partner universities;
3. International visiting fellows with interdisciplinary AI expertise involved in both study formats;
4. Multiplier events involving relevant AI stakeholders for all graduate students.

At the start of the project, a competency taxonomy will be developed using the Future Skills framework (Stifterverband 2021) and insights on the responsible use of AI in research (e.g. European Commission 2025). This taxonomy will guide formative and summative evaluations to assess the gained competencies and conditions for success.

WP 5: AI Literacy in the Bachelor Programmes of the Faculty of Management and Technology
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Brit-Maren Block

In the Faculty of Management and Technology, AI-related content will be embedded into the curricula. At the same time, AI-based tools for individual learning support and assessment design will be piloted.

WP 6: AI Literacy Hub – Educational Space (LAICA Hub)
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Dana-Kristin Mah & Prof. Dr. Marcus Pietsch

The planned LAICA Hub will serve as a physical and virtual space for the exchange and development of AI literacy education, and for the use of AI as a tool in teaching, learning, and assessment. Four hub workshops will be established to foster collaboration among stakeholders and units, and to create spaces for creativity, discourse, and experimentation:

1. A didactics workshop for developing legally compliant teaching concepts for the use of AI in studies, teaching, and exams, needs assessments among teachers and students, and the development of support formats and training programmes;
2. An experimentation and learning workshop for working on AI projects and exploring new technologies in a “Maker Space”;
3. A transfer workshop for building a network to promote AI Literacy with regular meetings and cooperation at regional and (inter)national levels;

A project workshop for regular exchange within the interdisciplinary project team and to address ethical issues.

WP 7: Effectiveness Assessment
Responsible: Prof. Dr. Mario Mechtel and Prof. Dr. Johannes Lohse

The evaluation captures impact, needs, and competency development among students. Innovative survey instruments ensure the continuous quality development of the teaching offerings.

The governance structure of LAICA ensures close integration between project management, faculties, central units and student representatives. A steering group, regular reflection rounds and agile formats guarantee cooperative project development and strategic alignment.

Figure 2 shows the central processes for implementing and institutionalising the LAICA measures. It illustrates the close interlinking between project management, curriculum development, governance processes and the involvement of the faculties and central institutions.