"Data Society": Diverse interdisciplinary conference for the university anniversary in Paderborn In 2022, Paderborn University is celebrating its 50th anniversary with numerous events. In the spirit of the anniversary motto "We celebrate the future", the interdisciplinary conference "Data Society. Opportunities - Innovations - Responsibility" from September 20th to 22nd focused on the changing society in the digital transformation. It provided a forum to exchange ideas on the possibilities of artificial intelligence, the impact of digital transformation on the world of work, and ethical issues of digitization. Lectures and discussion panels showcased the variety of research topics in this area at Paderborn University.
"These are exciting times for scientists. What is new about this societal transformation process is that technical systems can expand or even replace human cognitive abilities," said Prof. Dr. Birgitt Riegraf, President of Paderborn University, at the opening of the three-day program. To compile the program, the scientific board led by Prof. Dr. Artur Zrenner, Paderborn professor of experimental physics, considered questions from various perspectives: how do we deal with technology when it begins to create art? Where can we save power for more computing power? What does the future of computing look like? Will machines replace human labor in the future? And what ethical dimensions are raised when technologies shape our society?
For a total of three keynote lectures, scientists from Oldenburg, Munich, and Vienna came to Paderborn. "Congratulations to Paderborn University - not only for its 50th anniversary, but also for a great event," congratulated Prof. Dr. Susanne Boll from the Oldenburg Institute of Computer Science during her lecture on "The Human at the Center of the Digital Society". Prof. Dr. Dieter Kranzlmüller from the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities put forth the thesis in his keynote that quantum computers will not replace existing computers, but both systems will exist in parallel and fulfill specific tasks. With the topic "Digital Ethics," keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Sarah Spiekermann-Hoff from the Vienna University of Economics and Business discussed philosophical and ethical aspects of digital transformation.
A poster session, where young researchers from all faculties presented their research, provided an opportunity for lively exchange. Professors were also able to gain insight into the research of doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers beyond their field of expertise. The three best posters were selected by a specialist jury. Prof. Dr. Johannes Blömer, Vice President for Research and Junior Scientists at Paderborn University, awarded a prize money of 750 euros for first place to Lukas Höper, research assistant at the Institute of Computer Science. Second place, with a prize money of 500 euros, went to Jana Kim Gutt from the Department of Management at the Faculty of Business Administration. Jessica Coenen, who works in the Department of Sport & Health, was awarded third place and 250 euros.
You can find more information about the event here.
