Source: Own Illustration
The RWTH Talk Lehre 2026 took place on June 10, 2026. Approximately 350 participants from the fields of teaching, research, and university administration attended the presentations, workshops, and discussions both in person and online. The event focused on how artificial intelligence is changing and has already changed higher education, as well as the opportunities and challenges that arise from this.
In this article, we provide insights into the individual presentations, discussions, and practical examples. You can find an overview of the program and the individual sessions in our introductory article on Talk Lehre 2026.
AI in Teaching: Between Potential and Responsibility
Artificial intelligence is now firmly established in many areas of higher education. The event focused primarily on questions of concrete implementation, legally compliant use, and integration into examination and teaching formats.
Speakers included Prof. Nelly Litvak from Eindhoven University of Technology, who presented perspectives on teaching practices in the AI era, as well as Vice Rector for Teaching, Prof. Joost-Pieter Katoen, who discussed the strategic importance of the topic for RWTH.
There was also a special focus on AI-powered image generation, a feature that will soon be available in RWTHgpt as well.
New AI Tools, New Requirements: Building Competence as a Prerequisite
The event highlighted the importance of initiatives aimed at building competence and raising awareness regarding the responsible use of AI. In the workshop on image generation, the focus was not only on technical issues but also on topics such as data protection, data security, the requirements of the EU AI Regulation, copyright and privacy rights, as well as biases in AI systems.
The participants’ keen interest demonstrated just how great the need is for training and continuing education programs.
Therefore, in addition to RWTH’s existing offerings, further continuing education and support programs to promote competence will be provided upon the release of the new feature in RWTHgpt. These will include guides, online courses, and a checklist for the responsible use of AI image generation. Due to the high level of interest, a public follow-up event on AI image generation has already been announced.
AI in Theses: Need for Clear Rules and Guidance
Source: Own Illustration
At the conclusion of the event, participants engaged in a discussion moderated by Univ.-Prof. Malte Persike on the use of AI in theses. It became clear that many questions regarding the legal and organizational framework remain unresolved. The transparent use of AI tools and their application in academic assessments is a concern for both faculty and students alike.
In collaboration with the deans’ offices, guidelines are currently being developed to provide direction. These are currently undergoing review by the relevant committees.
Outlook: Diverse Engagement at RWTH
The Talk Lehre 2026 demonstrated the level of commitment with which the development of artificial intelligence is being driven forward at RWTH. The numerous discussions and practical examples made it clear that many innovative ideas are already emerging and that the integration of AI into academic studies, teaching, and administration is being actively shaped.
We will provide timely updates on the announced events and training formats.
Responsible for the content of this article are Melisa Berisha and Robin Jakobitz.
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