For many years, research on artificial intelligence that can write and understand texts was a niche area where continual progress was made, but without a decisive breakthrough. Recently, new methods based on the deep-learning process imitating a biological brain's neural network have become available. This is the technology on which large language models such as ChatGPT are based. The effects are disruptive: In software development, large language models will become a normal component of future software systems and influence software development itself, as they can generate new source code. Moreover, large language models have an impact on the way we generate scientific knowledge: Linguists, for example, hope to glean new insights into human language in ways that were not possible using previous methods. Getting to the bottom of all technological, societal, ethical and legal consequences requires a combined research effort from a multiple academic disciplines.
Projects related to AI and language model
Research profile
The interdisciplinary study of large language models is part of the University's focal theme on digitalisation, in the context of which tesearchers at the University of Passau have been studying the challenges and risks of artificial intelligence for more than a decade. The Technik Plus chairs, in particular the Chair of Data Science, have been instrumental in driving this development forward. The AI junior research group CAROLL based at this chair is a leader in the development of ontologies for rhetorical figures. In recent years, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to developments in digital platforms and cybersecurity, leading to the establishment of the DFG Research Training Group 2720 "Digital Platform Ecosystems (DPE)" on digital platform-based value creation and its implications for data exchange, organisation and socio-economic development, as well as the Bavarian Research Network for Digital Security. Research on artificial intelligence has received a further boost from the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda, an innovation drive that created new professorships with a strong research focus in all faculties, including chairs for AI engineering, machine learning and artificial intelligence in criminal law. A large number of the University's institutions and departments are engaged in interdisciplinary research on large language models, including:
- The AI and sustainable development working group (KINECT)
- The Passau International Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (PICAIS)
- and the Digitalisation Hub.
How intelligent can machines become? This question has been on my mind for a long time. In my research, I not only look at the machines but also at the interaction between people and intelligent algorithms as well as complex systems.
Professor Michael Granitzer, Data Science
In one study, we found quite clearly that a language model outperforms school pupils when writing essays on pros and cons – both linguistically and in terms of quality of argumentation. This shows that we cannot ignore this technology, and I find it incredibly exciting to explore how this will play out in the future.
Professor Steffen Herbold, AI Engineering
Insights into the topic
About the researchers
Professor Gordon Fraser
How can we find and prevent software errors?
How can we find and prevent software errors?
Professor Gordon Fraser has held the Chair of Software Engineering II at the University of Passau since 2017. After completing his doctorate at Graz University of Technology, he conducted research at Saarland University and the University of Sheffield. His research and teaching focusses on issues relating to software analysis, software development and the didactics of programming.
Professor Michael Granitzer
How can contexts of meaning be identified in a deluge of digital media?
How can contexts of meaning be identified in a deluge of digital media?
Professor Michael Granitzer holds the Chair of Data Science. His research focuses on the use of machine-based learning methods and intelligent human-machine interfaces.
Professor Annette Hautli-Janisz
How to process and interpret natural language using automated methods?
How to process and interpret natural language using automated methods?
Professor Annette Hautli-Janisz has been Assistant Professor of Computational Rhetoric and Natural Language Processing at the University of Passau since 2022. She is also an Associate Member of the Centre for Argument Technology at the University of Dundee and heads the Steinbeis Transfer Center for Linguistic Data Analysis. Before that, she had worked as a junior research group leader at the University of Konstanz. Her research is funded by the German Research Foundation (the excellence cluster "Politics of Inequality" at the University of Konstanz) and the Volkswagen Foundation (funding line "AI and the Future of Society").
Professor Steffen Herbold
How can AI be used in software development?
How can AI be used in software development?
Professor Steffen Herbold has held the Chair of AI Engineering at the University of Passau since 2022. Prior to his appointment as Professor of "Methods and Applications of Machine Learning" at Clausthal University of Technology, he had served as stand-in data analysis professor on various occasions, including at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. He studied, completed his doctorate and earned his habilitation in computer science at Göttingen University.
Professor Johann-Mattis List
How to compare the over 6 000 languages spoken around the world, and how do computer-based methods help?
How to compare the over 6 000 languages spoken around the world, and how do computer-based methods help?
Comparative Linguist Johann-Mattis List has held the Chair for Multilingual Computational Linguistics at the University of Passau since January 2023 and heads the ERC-funded research group "ProduSemy". Before that, he served as stand-in professor at Bielefeld University and as senior researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena where he headed another ERC-funded research group on computer-assisted language comparison. Professor List earned his doctorate at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf and wrote his habilitation at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena.
Professor Susanne Mayr
How does being connected online affect us as humans?
How does being connected online affect us as humans?
Professor Susanne Mayr has held the Chair of Psychology and Human–Machine Interaction of the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences since 2015.
Professor Karoline Reinhardt
What kind of ethical questions are raised by of social and political transformation?
What kind of ethical questions are raised by of social and political transformation?
Professor Karoline Reinhardt is Junior Professor for Applied Ethics at the University of Passau. Before taking on her position at the University of Passau, she was a PostDoctoral fellow at the Ethics & Philosophy Lab of the DFG Cluster of Excellence “Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science” and the International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities at the University of Tübingen. Previous to that, she held research and teaching positions at universities in Ankara, Graz, New Orleans, and Munich. She is a member of the Young Academy of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences. In September 2024, she received the Kant Young Talent Award from the Kant Society and the Fondazione Silvestro Marcucci.
Professor Brian Valerius
How transparent does artificial intelligence have to be?
How transparent does artificial intelligence have to be?
Professor Brian Valerius took up the Chair of Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Law at the University of Passau in October 2022. In his research, he focuses on the entire gamut of criminal law and of criminal procedural law. More specifically, he studies the challenges that come with digitalisation and notably with artificial intelligence. Further priorities include medical criminal law as well as international and intercultural issues.
