Setting Sails – Navigating AI in Higher Education

AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, generate human-like responses and engage in conversations, thus playing an increasingly prominent role in knowledge transfer. Does this development pose a threat or offer an opportunity for science communication? In this episode, we are joined by Mike S. Schäfer, Professor of Science Communication at the University of Zurich, to explore how AI is reshaping science communication and the challenges and opportunities it brings. We discuss what the present and future of science communication might look like — with or without AI — and the potential implications for higher education.

Accessibility and inclusion continue to be key themes of our podcast. This time, we are joined by Sarah Ebling, professor for Language, Technology and Accessibility at the University of Zurich, to explore how innovation and research are driving progress in these crucial areas. In this conversation, we gain deeper insights into the current research landscape, particularly focusing on language-based AI technologies in the context of people with disabilities. Together, we examine the intersection of AI and accessibility, discussing how AI can advance inclusion while imagining the ideal accessible university of the future.

Imagine having a so-called digital twin, which constantly collects your body data and, supported by AI, provides you with personalized advice to stay healthy or recover quickly when you get sick. Does this future scenario seem threatening or hopeful?
Claudia Witt, professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Zurich and director of the Digital Society Initiative, joins us to explore some of the applications of AI in medicine, with a particular focus on the digital twin. What are the benefits and risks of continuous monitoring? How could this technology help support the well-being of teachers and students?

In an incredibly short time, AI has become a common presence in education, with many teachers and students integrating it into their daily routines. But what does this rapid adoption mean for teachers in higher education? How will AI reshape teacher roles and skills? In today’s episode of "Setting Sails – Navigating AI in Higher Education", Joshua Weidlich, Assistant Professor for Digital Higher Education at the University of Zurich and Zurich University of Teacher Education, joins us to discuss how AI is fundamentally reshaping the educational landscape — transforming not only teaching methods but also redefining the roles, responsibilities, and...