EPoS Summer Summit 2025

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in research is changing scientific practices and is likely to transform science in the future. For basic science it is desirable if not mandatory that its methods remain transparent and that humans are able understand how a problem was solved. I believe that the physical sciences, with their specific standards for explanation, can serve as a reference for the development of interpretable and explainable AI. In this talk, I will review some of our research on the use and development of AI in quantum physics and beyond. This includes the model of projective simulation (PS), which is an interpretable model for learning and decision-making which has applications, e.g., in the design of quantum experiments, robotic skill acquisition and the modeling of biological behavior. I will review some of these applications and discuss the interplay of concepts from quantum physics and machine learning, more generally.

The increasing digitization of our society is fundamentally transforming how we use digital media, exchange information, and make decisions, reshaping both social and business landscapes. This shift is also revolutionizing the methods used by social and behavioral scientists to collect data on human behavior and experiences in customer research. One innovative method is in-vivo high-frequency mobile sensing via smartphones. Mobile sensing technology enables the exploration of psychological constructs through objective data on behaviors and environments. Crucially, it allows for fine-grained, longitudinal data collection in real-world settings at scale. By combining mobile sensing with artificial intelligence and machine learning, researchers can develop new approaches to predicting psychological traits, cognitive abilities, and behavioral outcomes with unprecedented accuracy. In this presentation, I will discuss my work integrating AI-driven machine learning with behavioral data from mobile sensing, highlighting both the opportunities and limitations of this approach. I will also critically examine the future impact of AI-powered mobile psychological sensing on research, industry, and broader societal applications. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, institutions, and everyday life, driving a profound digital transformation across business and society. From automating processes to enhancing decision-making, AI systems are increasingly embedded in complex environments, yet their adoption remains controversial, raising questions about fairness, accountability, and public acceptance. Football provides a striking case study of AI-driven transformation, with the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) fundamentally altering the sport. While intended and proven to improve accuracy and reduce human error, VAR has sparked intense debates, protests, and resistance from players, fans, and officials. High-profile incidents, such as disputed VAR rulings during EURO 2024 illustrate the challenges of integrating AI into deeply human-centered domains. Across business and society, AI adoption faces similar resistance, requiring organizations to navigate trust, transparency, and governance challenges. This talk will explore how the lessons from VAR implementation can inform AI transformation in other fields, highlighting key factors that influence public perception, acceptance, and ethical AI governance. Prof. Dr. Sven Laumer, a researcher in responsible AI and digital transformation at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, a football referee with 25 years of experience and the current Referee Chairman of the Bavarian Football Association, will analyze how AI shapes decision-making processes, regulatory frameworks, and social dynamics by examining football’s digital transformation.