Dr. Katharina Weitz
| Phone: | +49 821 598 - 2348 |
| Email: | katharina.weitz@informatik.uni-augsburginformatik.uni-augsburg.de () |
| Room: | 2015 (N) |
| Open hours: | by appointment |
| Address: | Universitätsstraße 6a, 86159 Augsburg |
Links
Research
I am interested in machine learning topics in the field of social Human-Computer Interaction. My areas of interest include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and human-computer interaction.
The influence of explainability and transparency of intelligent systems on people's trust is a central point of my research activities. I support a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence and therefore support Claire and the European Commission's Guidelines for Trustworthy AI.
In addition to my research activities, the communication of scientific knowledge to the general public is of great importance to me. In addition to lectures, science slams and workshops, I have already published several books in which I communicate basic knowledge about computer science and AI to young and old in a vivid and playful way.
About Me
Background
I finished my training as a state-approved educator and worked for several years as an educator in kindergarten, open all-day school and in the field of youth welfare work with young adults before I studied Psychology (B.Sc., M.Sc.) and Computing in the Humanities (Applied Computer Science) (M.Sc.) at the University of Bamberg. During my studies, I researched at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Fraunhofer Institute IIS.
I was a scholarship holder of the Upgrading Scholarship of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. For my Master's thesis in psychology, I was awarded the PUSh Award (Prize of the University Women's Representative for Students with Outstanding Achievements) of the University of Bamberg.
University of Augsburg
Since October 2018, I am working as a research associate at the Chair of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence at the University of Augsburg.
In 2020 I was awarded as a Junior Fellow from the National Society for Informatics (GI- Gesellschaft für Informatik) for my work and knowledge transfer in the field of human-centered AI.
From December 2020 to October 2023, I served as the deputy women's representative of the Faculty of Applied Computer Science, University of Augsburg.
Voluntary Activities
Since 2019, I haver been a member of the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI), the largest professional society for computer science in the german-speaking area. In 2021, I was elected to the GI presidium. Furthermore, since January 2022, I have been an elected board member of the GI. Here, I contribute actively to the future development of computer science on a political and societal level.
As an educator, the teaching of didactic concepts from the research area of computer science is of great concern to me. Therefore, I am an associated member of the interdisciplinary research group for elementary and primary computer science (FELI) at the University of Bamberg.
Including data-literacy in educational processes is an essential building block for digital participation. I am a signatory and supporter of the Data-Literacy-Charta of the Stifterverband.
To increase female representation and participation in the AI community, since 2020 I am a member of the non-profit do-tank initiative Women in AI and the non-profit network Women in AI & Robotics.
Invited Talks
Weitz, K. (2024). Künstliche Intelligenz im Schulalltag. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the Leipzig book fair, forum teaching practice of the Verband Bildungsmedien e.V., 24.03.2024, Leipzig.
Weitz, K. (2024). Entdecken, Erleben, Einsetzen: KI-Tools für den Lehralltag. Webinar of the Westermann Akademie, 21.02./19.03., online.
Weitz, K. (2024). Künstliche Intelligenz im Schulalltag: Eine Einführung in ChatGPT und Bildgeneratoren mit Ideen zum Einsatz in der Schule. Webinar of the Westermann Akademie, 07.02./05.03., online.
Weitz, K. (2024). Künstliche Intelligenz im Schulalltag. Keynote at the #WestermannLogin, 20.01.23, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). KI im Schulalltag. Webinar at the Open Day of the Westermann Akademie, 10.11.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). AI Meets Human: Fundamentals and Practical Use of Artificial Intelligence. Webinar for Employees of Westermann Publisher, 14.09.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). Breaking Bias: Challenges on the Way to Fair AI. Talk at the National Society for Informatics Regional Group Mittelfranken, 12.07.2023, Nuermberg.
Weitz, K. (2023). Artificial intelligence in everyday school life: practical applications and possible uses for teachers. Webinar of the Westermann Akademie, 11.07./08.09./20.09./26.10/29.11.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). Is ChatGPT hijacking democracy? What chatbots imply for society and politics.Webtalk of the Friedrich-Naumann Foundation, 07.06.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). AI meets human: Human-centred artificial intelligence as the future of interaction? Short presentation in the lecture series about AI at TH Aschaffenburg, 15.05.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). Pixel & Co. Informatik in der Grundschule. Webinar followed by a Q&A session at the Online Digital Symposium. 05.05.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2023). Neugierde für Informatik wecken - Ideen für die anschauliche Vermittlung von Informatikkonzepten an Kinder und Jugendliche. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the Leipzig book fair, forum teaching practice of the Verband Bildungsmedien e.V.. 30.04.2023, Leipzig.
Weitz, K. (2023). Künstliche Intelligenz im Praxistest: ChatGPT verstehen und nutzen. Online workshop, Evangelical Lutheran Church District of Hamburg-East. 27.04.2023, online.
Weitz, K. (2022). Pixel & Co. Informatik in der Grundschule. Webinar followed by a Q&A session at the Online Digital Symposium. 04.11.2022, online.
Weitz, K. (2022). Human-Centered XAI: Investigating the Impact of Explainable AI on End-Users. Talk at the Workshop „Interdisciplinary Conversations on the Fairness, Explainability and Uncertainty of AI“ of Die Junge Akademie, from 19.09.-20.09.22. 19.09.2022, Berlin.
Weitz, K. (2022). Intelligente Maschinen – gestern, heute, morgen. Künstliche Intelligenz zum Ausprobieren. Workshop at the Seminar „Narrativen Künstlicher Intelligenz“ of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, from 08.09.-11.09.22. 08.09.2022, Munich.
Weitz, K. (2022). Herausforderungen der Menschzentrierten Künstlichen Intelligenz für Unternehmen: Die Rolle von Erklärbarkeit und Vertrauen in der Mensch-Technik Interaktion. Talk at the Workshop „Digitalisierung und Zukunft der Arbeit“ of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), 10.08.2022, Munich.
Weitz, K. (2022). Mensch und Maschine – ein Traum-Paar? Aktuelle Forschung zur Künstlichen Intelligenz. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the Evangelische Akademie Anhalt and the Evangelische Akadamie Sachsen-Anhalt e.V.. 30.06.2022, Dessau-Roßlau.
Weitz, K. (2022). Menschzentrierte KI Science oder Ficition? Talk at the Computer Science information day, University of Augsburg. 28.04.2022, Augsburg.
Weitz, K. (2022). „Sollten wir Maschinen vertrauen?“ Chancen und Herausforderungen auf dem Weg zur Menschzentrierten KI. Online presentation followed by a Q&A session at the AI Production network, University of Augsburg. 21.04.2022, Augsburg.
Weitz, K. (2022). Mehr Science, weniger Fiction: Keine Angst vor der Künstlichen Intelligenz! Einblicke in die Funktionsweise von KI. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the Evangelisches Forum Annahof. 28.03.2022, Augsburg.
Weitz, K. (2022). Neugierde für Informatik wecken - Ideen für die anschauliche Vermittlung von Informatikkonzepten an Kinder und Jugendliche. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the Leipzig book fair, forum teaching practice of the Verband Bildungsmedien e.V.. 19.03.2022, Leipzig. --cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic--
Weitz, K. (2022). "Algorithmus ist keine Krankheit" - Informatikkonzepte anschaulich und lebensweltbezogen an Kinder und Jugendliche vermitteln. Online presentation with discussion for student teachers at the University of Augsburg. 26.01.2022, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Von „Versteh ich nicht!“ bis „Das ist unfair!“ - Herausforderungen auf dem Weg zur Menschzentrierten Künstlichen Intelligenz. Online talk with discussion in the lecture series "Artificial Intelligence - Past, Present and Future" in cooperation with Deutsches Museum Munich as part of the Hi!A Festival for Art and Science in Bavaria. 15.12.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Erklärbare Künstliche Intelligenz (XAI) als Schlüssel für mehr Transparenz? – Einblicke in die Informatik. Talk followed by a Q&A session in the seminar "Transparency, Ethics & Publicity in (Digital) Democracy" of the University of Duisburg Essen. 13.12.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Von A wie Algorithmus bis K wie Künstliche Intelligenz: Anregungen für die praxistaugliche Vermittlung von Informatikkonzepten. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the #WestermannLogin@Kassel. 26.11.-27.11.2021, Kassel. --cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic--
Weitz, K. (2021). Pixel & Co. Informatik in der Grundschule. Talk followed by a Q&A session at the digital-day of the Westermann group. 27.10.2021, München. --cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic--
Weitz, K. (2021). "Algorithmus ist keine Krankheit" - Informatikkonzepte anschaulich und lebensweltbezogen an Kinder und Jugendliche vermitteln. Online talk with discussion for student teachers at the University of Augsburg. 09.07.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Pixel & Co. Informatik in der Grundschule. Webinar followed by a Q&A session at the Online Digital Symposium. 12.06.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Pixel & Co. Informatik in der Grundschule. Webinar of the Westermann publisher followed by a Q&A session. 20.05.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Was hast du gelernt? Wie Erklärbare KI uns hilft, Neuronale Netze besser zu verstehen. Keynote followed by a Q&A session at the M3- Minds Mastering Machines conference, 27.04.2021, online.
Weitz, K. (2021). Erklärbare Künstliche Intelligenz - Ziele, Methoden und Herausforderungen auf dem Weg zur Menschzentrierten KI. Webinar followed by a Q&A session as part of the AI-Camp organized by the National Society for Informatics and the BMBF, 16.02.2021.
Weitz, K. (2021). Menschenzentrierte KI - Wie erklärbare KI unsere Vorstellungen und Erwartungen verändert. Online presentation with discussion at the National Society for Informatics Regional Group Würzburg, 20.01.2021.
Weitz, K. (2020). PRIVACY ON STAND BY? Talk and public discussion with the artists Yu Zhang and Matthew Mosher at the "DIGITAL SPRING Festival", 21.03.2020, Salzburg. --cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic--
André, E., Weitz, K. (2019). Künstliche Intelligenz...und ich? Public discussion with the Minister of Science Bernd Sibler as part of the event „Siblers Denkräume“, 03.12.2019, Augsburg.
Weitz, K. (2019). Was „denkt“ Künstliche Intelligenz? Wie wir sichtbar machen, wie intelligent KI wirklich ist. Science Slam Talk at the turmdersinne Symposium, 12.10.2019, Fürth.
André, E., Weitz. K., Weber, K., & Janowski, K. (2019) Sind Computer schlauer als wir?. Talk with Live Demo as part of the children's university, 05.07.2019, Augsburg.
Weitz, K. (2019). Genial naiv. Wie schlau ist künstliche Intelligenz?. Talk within the scope of the Wissenschaftsjahr 2019 at the German Museum, 02.06.2019, Munich.
Weitz, K. (2019). Gotta catch ‘em all! Wenn die KI zum Pokemontrainer wird. Talk as part of the Girls‘ Day at the German Museum, 28.03.2019, Munich.
2018
Weitz, K. (2018). Lachst du noch oder weinst du schon? Worauf neuronale Netze achten, wenn sie uns anschauen. Talk at the Science Slam of the Center Digitalisierung.Bayern (ZD.B), 21.11.2018, Munich.
2017
Schmid, U., & Weitz, K. (2017). Elementarinformatik als Brücke zwischen Mediennutzung und Informatik. Vom "Was muss ich drücken?" zum "Wie funktioniert das?" in der Vor- und Grundschule. Talk at the Landesinstitut für Lehrerbildung und Schulentwicklung, 26.09.2017, Hamburg.
2016
Schmid, U., Knauf, D., Gärtig-Daugs, A., Weitz, K., Wolking, M., & Steinhäuser, A. (2016). Elementarinformatik. Presentation of the computer science experimenters’s kit at the Bamberger Medienbildungstag "Medienbildung 4.0", 23.07.2016, Bamberg.
2015
Weitz, K., & Schmid U. (2015). Informatik - eine kleine Einführung. Talk at the Caritas Fachakademie für Sozialpädagogik, 13.11.2015, Bamberg.
Schmid, U., & Weitz, K. (2015). Experimentierkiste Informatik. Informatik in Vor- und Grundschule. Talk as part of Culture.Projects - Die Vorstellungsrunde, 19.10.2015, Bamberg.
Schmid, U., & Grell, F., unterstützt durch Gärtig-Daugs, A., Förtsch, S., Wolking, M., & Weitz, K. (2015). Mobile Informatikwerkstatt für Vor- und Grundschule. Presentation of project plans for the computer science experimenter’s kit at the Hermann-Gutmann-Stiftung, 10.3.2015, Bamberg.
Media & Press
Social Media
Panellist at Arte Saloon: Autonomous weapons or useful helpers - what are robots allowed to do? (07.11.2023)
Guest on Science vs. Fiction/MDR Wissen: Star Trek: Picard | Can robots fake feelings? (16.02.2023)
Reel at #MINTmagie (an initiative of the BMBF) to answer the question: Is AI smarter than us? (29.12.2022)
Video about my Science Slam at the Centre for Digitalisation Bavaria: What is Artificial Intelligence? (22.04.2021)
Podcasts
2023
Interview on the podcast "AI today": "What human-centered AI is all about" podcast (German)
Interview on "Deep Talk", a podcast by Deutschlandfunk Nova: ChatGPT can't cook! podcast (German)
Newspapers & Magazines & Blogs
2023
Interview in ZEIT LEO magazine (10.10.2023): Can you think, ChatGPT? The new chat programme talks like a human being. ZEIT LEO had a conversation with it and a researcher
Allgemeiner Anzeiger (25.09.2023): Stories for children from ChatGPT
Interview in Evangelic Newspaper (08.09.2023): ChatGPT: When robots tell the bedtime story article (German)
Interview in Südkurier Konstanz (08.09.2023): ChatGPT cannot replace mum and dad - Can AI help in raising children? Critics warn: human warmth is missing
Interview in impulse Magazin: Who is afraid of ChatGPT? How to react wisely to insecurities in working teams article (German)
GI-members' magazine: It's all about us! article (German)
Interview on the AIhub blog: Do we need explainable AI in companies? article
2020
Science Magazine AVISO 01/2020: Man, Machine! The future of social interaction with AI article (German)
Science Magazine AVISO 01/2020: Science Slam - Making artificial intelligence explainable article (German)
Peer-Review Activities
I was reviewer for the following journals and conferences:
Editorials
- Program committee member of the Workshop "Functions of Emotions for Socially Interactive Agents" at the 9th International Conference on Affective Computing & Intelligent Interaction (ACII)
- Program commitee member of the 10th International Conference on Affective Computing & Intelligent Interaction (ACII)