In May 2023, ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig welcomed the first junior research groups on emerging AI and Data Science topics. Those groups complement and extend the current research areas of our center. By receiving funding and getting an associated doctoral position for three years, successful candidates are able to establish and lead their own research group. As a result, four junior research groups were created, covering a variety of topics. The junior research groups were established both at TUD Dresden University of Technology and Leipzig University.

Junior Research Groups at ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig

Computational Interaction and Mobility

The goal of this research group is to develop computationally rational models that interact with technology in a human-like manner and make human-like decisions. Therefore, the group wants to build these models using reinforcement learning. These models shall be used to evaluate user interfaces and to create a better understanding of how humans and intelligent systems can collaborate.

Lead: Dr. Patrick Ebel, Leipzig University

Situating AI-based Mentoring

The focus in this research group is on studying the interaction of learners with AI-based technologies in real-life situations. Therefore, the research is specifically looking at the effects of AI on motivation, self-regulation, cognitive and affective processing, and learning outcomes.

Lead: Dr. Sandra Hummel, TUD Dresden University of Technology

Needs-Oriented AI-Coaching for Students (NAIC)

This research group is investigating the use of AI in higher education, particularly in digital learning and studying in general. Therefore, the team is investigating the use and efficacy of AI-driven coaching methodologies in higher education. The primary focus is on exploring and developing intelligent and adaptive conversational agents to enable tailored learning journeys and personalized coaching support.

Lead: Dr.-Ing. Claudia Loitsch, TUD Dresden University of Technology

Nature-Inspired Machine Intelligence (NIMI)

Within the junior research group “Nature-Inspired Machine Learning”, the team is investigating the connection of knowledge graphs and large language models, and the role of Neuro-symbolic methods for future learning models. This is tighten with reinforcement learning approaches which is also a major interest for the group.

Lead: Dr. Sahar Vahdati, TUD Dresden University of Technology

Optimal Control of Dynamical Systems in Human-Computer Interaction

The research group aims at a new generation of reliable and trustworthy intelligent systems with which humans can interact more naturally through new and more accessible user interfaces. It explores modelling the entire human-AI interaction loop as dynamical systems. These are subsequently simulated and optimized using a combination of Machine Learning and established control techniques such as Model Predictive Control.

Lead: Dr. Arthur Fleig, Leipzig University

Automated Machine Learning (AutoML)

The junior research group “Automated Machine Learning” wants to develop machine learning approaches that can configure themselves automatically by learning from past data. Consequently, the research shall contribute to fulfilling the promise of artificial intelligence and lead to complete end-to-end learning systems.

Lead: Aaron Klein, Leipzig University