Source: Own Illustration
In our first post, we introduced the launch of the KI:connect.nrw project. The aim of the project is to provide universities in NRW with a privacy-compliant and customizable way of using generative AI via the central webinterface of KI:connect. In the meantime, there has been significant progress: The following five universities are now successfully connected and are actively using KI:connect:
- FernUniversität in Hagen
- Fachhochschule Aachen
- Hochschule Ruhr West
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technische Hochschule Köln
This means that KI:connect is now available to more than 170,000 students and staff in the fields of study, teaching, and research.
How KI:connect Can Be Used Across Universities
With KI:connect, a cross-university platform offers participating universities access to powerful AI tools. This opens up a wide range of applications:
- In study: Students can use AI tools for research, text editing, coding assistance, or learning aids.
- In teaching: Instructors can create materials more efficiently, automate feedback processes, or integrate AI into didactic concepts.
- In research: Researchers can benefit from language and analysis models that assist in the evaluation of texts, data, and publications.
- In administration: Employees can use AI applications for process automation, document processing, and communication.
In addition, universities can define their own guidelines and tailor the platform precisely to the needs of their users.
KI:connect Expands Its Reach – Outlook and Upcoming Milestones
Since the last blog post in July on the KI:connect Blog the number of participating universities has continued to grow. This marks a milestone shared with a total of 12 universities.
Once all of these universities are fully connected, more than 350,000 users – including around 42,000 employees and 308,000 students – will be able to use KI:connect via the central web interface. At the same time, cooperation talks are ongoing with other interested universities. The project continues to grow and expand its reach across universities and users
An important milestone is still ahead for this year: API access to KI:connect. This will allow users to integrate AI functionalities directly into their workflows. Additionally, it will be possible to connect university systems – from learning platforms to research databases. In this way, KI:connect can become a fully integrated component of the university IT infrastructure in the long term.
With KI:connect.nrw, RWTH Aachen University is taking on a central role as a community service provider: it brings universities across NRW together and lays the foundation for innovative uses of generative AI in study, teaching, research, and administration.
Interessierte universities may contact servicedesk@itc.rwth-aachen.de for more information on participation.
Responsible for the content of this article is Melisa Berisha.
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