Explain the opportunities and benefits of AI technology to citizens in daily life

Hanau. Hessen Digital Minister Professor Dr. Christina Sinemus kicked off a new citizens' dialogue titled “AI Creates the Future – Hessen Talks AI” in downtown Hanau on Saturday. The goal of the dialogue is to demonstrate the opportunities and benefits that artificial intelligence (AI) provides to citizens in everyday life.

Using the mobile phone for information and numerous exhibitions, many people took the opportunity to learn about products already in use. “Artificial intelligence has not only received a lot of attention since Chat-GPT. Artificial intelligence is already present in many things we use every day,” Sinnemos stressed. “We strive for dialogue with citizens on an equal footing, we want to reduce reservations and show the opportunities and benefits that intelligence provides.” Artificial. “This also helps strengthen democracy.”

Robot Pepper becomes a favorite among passers-by

The pepper was especially popular among passers-by in Hanau. DRK Fulda's robot is programmed to analyze people, their facial expressions and gestures and react according to these emotional states. In six DRK senior centers in and around Fulda, it is used, among other things, in memory training and puzzle entertainment.

On the information bus of the Smart District Center Bad Hersfeld, citizens were able to learn about, among other things, the research and use of artificial intelligence in the state of Hesse as well as the benefits of smart technologies in municipalities. Using a flood model, it was demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be used to predict water levels in order to warn of floods in a timely manner. In addition, the urban planning tool made it possible to see how each action would affect the surrounding area.

Professor Dr. Ulrich Schwanicke from the Department of Computer Science Media Design at the Rhine-Main University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden also provided information about research on digital doubles, or so-called avatars, in an interview with ARD TV presenter Willy Wetzel. Professor Martin Steinbach, Principal Researcher at the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity in Athens and Head of the Department of Media Security and IT Forensics at Fraunhofer SIT, explained the extent to which images, videos and sounds can be forged on the Internet and how so-called deep fakes can be identified.

Understanding and shaping the future technologically

“Choosing the city of Hanau as the on-ramp to the digitalization highway in the state of Hesse in order to intensify the dialogue with citizens is a very good idea of ​​the Digital Ministry. Our motivation remains to continue understanding and shaping the future with and for the people, including in technical terms,” he said. Hanau Mayor Klaus Kaminski says digitalization is a service for citizens.

Not only was it possible to listen and watch, but visitors in Hanau were also able to test their knowledge of artificial intelligence with a quiz. “Digital skills are the key to the future, and not just in the world of work. The policy exists to shape the framework conditions and promote responsible engagement for the benefit of people, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence. This round of dialogue is our contribution as the Hesse state government,” stressed Minister Sinnemos.

Test your knowledge in the digital quiz

Another example of the expansion of digital skills is the digital verification skills of the Ministry of Digital in the state of Hesse. Everyone can test their knowledge online for free and get opportunities for further training: https://www.wie-digital-bin-ich.de.

GNZ