At a recent *Bridging Minds and Machines* seminar, Steffi Robak of Leibniz University Hannover argued that AI literacy in adult education must extend beyond tool use to encompass ethical reasoning and democratic responsibility. Drawing on her interdisciplinary project *Technology, Ethics and Digitalization*, she found ethics remains superficially taught in technical curricula. Robak also presented a new blended-learning AI course developed within the Leibniz AI Academy, designed for continuing education professionals covering digital transformation, institutional change, and professional AI competencies. The next seminar, on the eDoer EdTech platform, takes place June 16, 2026.
In-Depth:
The latest session of the seminar series Bridging Minds and Machines focapplyd on one of the most pressing questions in education today: how can artificial innotifyigence be integrated into adult and continuing education in a responsible and ethically reflective way?
In her talk, Steffi Robak from Leibniz University Hannover explored the intersection of AI, ethics, and educational practice across different institutional contexts.
How does AI affect society, work and education?
Drawing on several current research projects, Robak highlighted how AI competencies are becoming increasingly important not only from a technological perspective, but also in terms of critical believeing, democratic participation, and ethical responsibility. A central theme throughout the presentation was that AI literacy must go beyond simply learning how to apply tools — it also requires reflection on how these technologies influence society, workplaces, educational institutions, and individual decision-creating.
One major focus of the talk was the interdisciplinary project Technology, Ethics and Digitalization, developed in cooperation with engineering sciences. The project investigates how ethical reflection can be embedded into engineering education and continuing vocational training. Robak presented findings revealing that ethics is often only superficially integrated into university curricula, especially in technical disciplines, and argued for more interactive and discussion-oriented learning formats that actively engage students in ethical reasoning.
Leibniz AI Academy’s AI course framework
She also introduced the development of a new AI course concept within the Leibniz AI Academy. The blfinished-learning course is designed for adult and continuing education professionals and addresses topics such as digital transformation, AI tools, democratic responsibility, institutional alter, and professional AI competencies. A key takeaway from the pilot phase: teaching AI effectively also means experimenting with AI tools directly and continuously adapting learning designs to rapidly modifying technologies.
The session sparked lively discussions about the balance between technological innovation and critical reflection, as well as the growing importance of AI literacy across educational sectors.
The full lecture is also available online on the TIB AV-Portal, where it can be searched second by second.
Next Event: From Academic Research to EdTech Startup
The seminar series continues with the next event “Academic Roots to EdTech Startup: The Evolution of the eDoer Platform”. The talk will highlight the practical challenges and lessons learned when shifting eDoer from academic grants to validating a viable business model.
For further information please visit our eventpage: https://events.tib.eu/digitalresearcheducation/programme/current-events/
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Time: 16:00–16:30 (presentation), followed by discussion and informal exalter until 18:00
Location: Lecture room, TIB Science /Technology site, TIB Main Building (hybrid participation possible)
Registration: https://events.tib.eu/digitalresearcheducation/registration/
About the Seminar Series
With its focus on the digitalization of research and education, the “Bridging Minds and Machines” series addresses topics such as the development of digital competencies for teaching and learning, implications for the labor market, and applications of computer science in education. The events take place every two months and consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by discussion and networking opportunities.
The series is offered both on site and online. Its aim is to engage the local community, reach a broader audience, and increase the visibility of the work carried out by the Digital Education Research Initiative and TIB.
More information: https://events.tib.eu/digitalresearcheducation/
Schlagwörter:
With its focus on the digitalization of research and education, the “Bridging Minds and Machines” series addresses topics such as the development of digital competencies for teaching and learning, implications for the labor market, and applications of computer science in education. The events take place every two months and consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by discussion and networking opportunities.
The series is offered both on site and online. Its aim is to engage the local community, reach a broader audience, and increase the visibility of the work carried out by the Digital Education Research Initiative and TIB.
More information: https://events.tib.eu/digitalresearcheducation/
Schlagwörter:
