AI-HUB@LMU Grand Opening – Event Recap &a … - AI-HUB@LMU

On January 29, 2025, we officially launched the AI-HUB@LMU with a spectacular Grand Opening! This dynamic grassroots initiative fuels AI research, teaching, and outreach across all 18 faculties. Held in LMU’s historic Große Aula, the event was a resounding success, drawing over 700 attendees from academia, industry, foundations, and government—all coming together to shape the future of AI!

Download a copy of the Grand Opening Program. (PDF, 751 KB)

The gods of the Aula, brought to life through generative AI, welcomed participants and took over the moderation of the entire event. Where else but at LMU could tradition and the future merge in such a captivating and spectacular way?

Welcome Remarks

The official program opened with inspiring remarks from distinguished speakers, each emphasizing the pivotal role of AI research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and Bavaria’s digital transformation:

Prof. Dr. Francesca Biagini conveyed the LMU Präsidium’s strong support and enthusiasm for this grassroots initiative, recognizing its potential to shape the university’s AI landscape.
Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs, Dr. Fabian Mehring (StMD), shared his vision for Bavaria’s digital future, hailing the AI-HUB@LMU as a beacon of excellence and a future Bavarian lighthouse for AI and Data Science.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian Theis, Chairman of the Bavarian AI Council, underscored Munich’s thriving AI ecosystem, highlighting BAIOSPHERE’s crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration.
Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi, Chairman of the Board of University Representatives, explored AI’s profound impact across all disciplines and called for a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to this transformative technology.

These visionary perspectives laid the foundation for an event that seamlessly integrated cutting-edge research, forward-thinking policy, and interdisciplinary collaboration—solidifying LMU’s role as a leading hub for AI innovation and excellence.

The distinguished speakers together with the spokespersons of the AI-HUB@LMU. Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian Theis, Prof. Dr. Frauke Kreuter, Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs, Dr. Fabian Mehring, Prof. Dr. Eyke Hüllermeier, Prof. Dr. Francesca Biagini, Prof. Dr. Gitta Kutyniok, Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi

Prof. Dr. Francesca Biagini conveyed the LMU Präsidium’s strong support and enthusiasm for this grassroots initiative, recognizing its potential to shape the university’s AI landscape.

Bavarian State Minister for Digital Affairs Dr. Fabian Mehring for his vision of Bavaria’s digital future and for recognizing the AI-HUB@LMU as a future Bavarian lighthouse for AI and Data Science

Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian Theis, Chairman of the Bavarian AI Council, underscored Munich’s thriving AI ecosystem, highlighting BAIOSPHERE’s crucial role in fostering innovation and collaboration.

Prof. Dr. Armin Nassehi, Chairman of the Board of University Representatives, explored AI’s profound impact across all disciplines, calling for a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to this transformative technology.

History and Mission of the AI-HUB@LMU

Following the opening speeches, Prof. Dr. Gitta Kutyniok, Spokesperson of AI-HUB@LMU, shared the initiative’s origins and mission: The journey began with Bavaria’s Hightech Agenda, attracting world-leading AI experts, including herself, to LMU and other Bavarian universities. Recognizing AI’s potential, she launched a research focus at the Center for Advanced Studies, which led to a pivotal workshop with 40 colleagues. This momentum culminated in the AI-HUB@LMU—a grassroots initiative that now unites all 18 faculties.

The AI-HUB@LMU aims to advance cutting-edge research by bridging AI and Data Science, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and addressing the full spectrum of AI—from theoretical foundations to real-world applications and societal impact.

Spokesperson Prof. Dr. Gitta Kutyniok presents the history and mission of the AI-HUB@LMU.

Faculty Highlights

The event continued with faculty representatives showcasing the depth and breadth of AI and Data Science already thriving at our university. Through scientific pitch talks, panel discussions, and keynote presentations, we explored groundbreaking research, interdisciplinary perspectives, and AI’s transformative societal impact.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Plank presented the history of AI as a discipline, from its origins to the deep learning era, and discussed today’s AI safety challenges in her keynote on Foundations of AI.

Various scientific discoveries using AI are already a reality at our university. The faculties of medicine and natural sciences presented highlights of their research.

Prof. Dr. Uta Hauck-Thum, Prof. Dr. Sven Nyholm, Prof. Dr. Thomas Schärtl, Prof. Dr. Carsten Schwemmer, all from the faculties of disciplines connected to the humanities, discussed “A(I) Matter of Trust? The role of the humanities in digital transformation”. To our utter astonishment, we were challenged with a provocative thought: From God’s perspective, aren’t we all just a form of artificial intelligence? What does that mean for us?

Key insights on managing the transfer and impact of AI were presented by representatives from economics and law, as well as the LMU Entrepreneurship Center. Pictured: Prof. Dr. Helene Tenzer

Celebrating Excellence in AI

A highlight of the evening was the inaugural AI-HUB@LMU Prize Ceremony, sponsored by Münchener Universitätsgesellschaft, celebrating groundbreaking AI research. Prof. Dr. Dr. Peter Höppe, Chairman Münchener Universitätsgesellschaft (MUG), and Prof. Dr. Alexander Wuttke, Head of the Prize Committee, awarded the following prizes:

Best Master’s Thesis in AI

Pauline Leininger - Exploring the Use of AI-Generated Environments for Virtual Film Productions

Most Innovative AI-Based Research Projects

Maximilian Frank & Simon Lund: From Dialogue to Dynamic: Innovating User Interfaces for Large Language Models
Eva Sextl: Spectral Genesis: Converting Galaxy Images into Spectroscopic Insights with Generative AI

These awards exemplify AI-HUB@LMU’s dedication to interdisciplinary innovation, academic excellence, and the promotion of young talent, recognizing the immense potential that lies in emerging researchers and their groundbreaking contributions.

The awardees together with Prof. Dr. Dr. Peter Höppe, Chairman Münchener Universitätsgesellschaft (MUG), and Prof. Dr. Alexander Wuttke, Head of the Prize Committee.

Looking to the Future: AI at LMU

The evening concluded with an engaging fireside chat between Prof. Hal Daumé III (Director, AI Interdisciplinary Institute, University of Maryland) and Prof. Dr. Frauke Kreuter (Spokesperson, AI-HUB@LMU). The discussion explored AI’s evolving role in academia, ethical considerations, and strategies for promoting cross-disciplinary AI research.

Fireside conversation between Prof. Hal Daumé III and Prof. Dr. Frauke Kreuter on the future of AI at LMU.

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AI-HUB@LMU Grand Opening – Event Recap & Key Takeaways