After the successful alumni event “hello again @ HNU” last year and at the request of the alumni, HNU once again invited its graduates to an exclusive event, which was very well received: A total of 40 participants attended the two-day workshop on Generative Artificial Intelligence on July 19 and 20, 2024. The alumni were welcomed at the beginning of the event by Ivanka Burger, Head of Project Development, Transfer and Cooperation at HNU, and Stephanie Bühren, Operational Director of the Center for Postgraduate and Professional Studies at HNU, as well as by the two speakers Prof. Dr. Jens Kolb and Prof. Dr. Daniel Schallmo.
Theoretical input meets interactive practical exercises: AI experts give lecture and guide through practical tools
The two AI experts Prof. Dr. Jens Kolb and Prof. Dr. Daniel Schallmo first explained the technical basics of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models, gave an overview of current developments in research and focused on the application of AI in everyday working life in companies.
The subsequent practical sessions were a particular highlight: under the guidance of the experienced lecturers, the participants were able to try out various tools and platforms and work on their own use cases from their respective professional fields. One participant reported: “My highlight was the practical collaboration in the teams, as we all had different professional backgrounds and levels of knowledge, which enriched the ideas, the exchange and the results”.
In a final pitch round, the participants shared their experiences and exchanged views on open questions. The speakers Prof. Dr. Daniel Schallmo and Prof. Dr. Jens Kolb summed up: “The topic of AI is currently on everyone's lips and is highly relevant for companies. We believe that the format has enabled us to convey the topic in a clear and interactive way and equip our graduates with business-relevant AI skills.”
In addition to two days of intensive knowledge transfer, the free event also offered the opportunity to reconnect with former fellow students, make new contacts and intensify existing networks.
At the end of the event, all participating graduates were invited to a joint dinner and get-together in the outdoor area of the HNU Founders Space, where the exchange was deepened in a relaxed atmosphere. Due to the positive response, further formats of this kind are being planned for alumni of the HNU.
