IRIS3D

Project Focus

Using thought experiments as a context for creating and exploring a novel artificial intelligence (AI) system that captures dynamics of human cognition in the form of mental models. A representation and prediction system is trained to emulate the basic causal chain-of[1]events occurring when humans engage in thought experiments. Basic operations are cast into simple dynamical rules and objects, defined in a similar way as in cellular automata and
inspired by production rules in symbolic cognitive architectures, using an autoencoder-like architecture for enhanced abstraction. Potential outcomes of thought experiments can thus be “played out”, generated by the physical dynamics, and iteratively refined. These “AI[1]augmented” thought experiments provide a direct means for self-reflection and critique of one’s mental models (i.e., unconscious biases and presumptions), and stimulate a creative process. At the same time, this enables building an AI model consistent with our own understanding. Cross-disciplinary implications are discussed upon evaluating the system from the perspectives of cognitive science, physics of non-equilibrium, complex systems, as well as for AI[1]performative aspects like knowledge transfer.

Project Members

• Dr. Miriam Klopotek, miriam.klopotek@simtech.uni-stuttgart.de, SimTech Cluster of Excellence, University of Stuttgart
• Jun.-Prof. Dr. Maria Wirzberger, maria.wirzberger@iris.uni-stuttgart.de,Interchange Forum for Reflecting on Intelligent Systems, University of Stuttgart
• Benedikt Grüger

Project Focus

Online political discussions may help to weigh arguments and shape opinions potentially including considerations from all stakeholders. Thereby, discussion platforms may act as intelligent brokers for a fruitful exchange of opinion. In practice, resentful discussions abound and often they disparage specific groups from equal participation. In this research project, we plan to develop methods of natural language processing and network data analysis to identify 
such unfair treatment. Using the Reddit Politosphere dataset as a case study, we will provide specific statistical analyses and evaluation of developed methods. Based on such methods and analyses, we plan to inform discussion platforms about problems and potential means of containment.

Project Members

• Jun.-Prof. Dr. Raphael Heiberger, raphael.heiberger@sowi.uni-stuttgart.de, Computational Social Science, Institute for Social Science, University of Stuttgart
• Prof. Dr. Steffen Staab, steffen.staab@ipvs.uni-stuttgart.de, Analytic Computing, Institute for Parallel and Distributed Computing (IPVS), University of Stuttgart
• Sara Hanke

Project Focus

The construction industry needs to urgently become more productive and sustainable. Automation is a common approach to increase efficiency. But this approach is challenged by a lack of qualified workers in the construction industry. This project at the intersection of architectural computing with social science addresses this challenge with a novel, AI-based method of human-robot collaboration that (1) replaces demands for human physical labor with demands for technical skills and that (2) engages workers by stimulating creativity and ensuring agency. Shifting from physical endurance to professional input and intellectual contributions opens construction to broader demographics that are otherwise excluded and allows them to contribute more meaningfully and with higher-value skills.

The project integrates perspectives from feminist technoscience—a transdisciplinary field offering distinct ways of thinking about societies, technologies, bodies, power, and environments—to develop a HRC method that attracts skilled staff and supports skills and decision-making while considering uncertainties inherent in construction. Specifically, the project uses methods from experimental democracy to ensure a fair and responsible development process for the HRC method that engages a diverse set of potential users

Project Members

• Prof. Dr. Cordula Kropp, cordula.kropp@sowi.uni-stuttgart.de, Institute for Social Sciences (SOWI), University of Stuttgart
• Prof. Achim Menges, achim.menges@icd.uni-stuttgart.de, Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart
• Tenure-Track-Prof. Dr. Thomas Wortmann, thomas.wortmann@icd.uni-stuttgart.de, Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart