TU Graz brings AI to the countryside in a playful way

Artificial intelligence – many also use the English expression, artificial intelligence (AI) – is in the process of rapidly changing our economy and production methods. Gerald Steinbauer-Wagner of the Institute of Software Technology at the Graz University of Technology is convinced that knowledge and skills in the field of artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly important for young people’s training and careers; But when it comes to the question of the opportunities and risks of technology, all social and age groups must have a say and be able to make decisions.

Basic understanding required

“People who are not familiar with the topic cannot take advantage of it or think about the usefulness and necessity of the regulations for the use of AI,” says the Graz expert. Therefore, a basic understanding is needed, and this is what the community workshops want to convey: “We want to provide the basics so that everyone can immerse themselves in the topic of AI and have a say.”

No basic knowledge needed

What is AI, how does it work in everyday life, what can it do, what can’t it do, what should it be able to do and what can’t it? These are the questions that will be discussed with participants in a variety of ways in the community workshops. The basic methods of this technology are dealt with in short fun units. The Graz project manager asserts that “no basic knowledge is needed”.

“We come on demand”

Free workshops will be offered in the regions of Styria from now until the end of the year; The number of participants can range from five to 30 people. “We come on demand – whether in community offices, schools or parish hall. From grandchildren to grandparents, we welcome everyone who wants to spend an hour and a half to three hours learning about AI technologies,” says Steinbauer-Wagner – working alongside The Austrian Computer Society (OCG) and the Hungarian Mobilis Science Center Györ are behind a program called Enaris (Education and Awareness for Intelligent Systems).

TU Graz has already developed a training and certification system with partner institutions in Austria and the Hungarian Szechenyi Istvan University in Györ. Young people can use it to obtain a standard and internationally recognized “driving license” for robotics and artificial intelligence (European Driving License for Robots and Intelligent Systems, EDLRIS).

In order to deliver this in schools, the initiative, funded by Interreg funding, has already developed teaching materials for teachers and trained around 300 teachers. Three-day certification courses will continue to be offered to educators. Free learning materials are provided for basic digital education.