Alicia von Schenk: Germany's Youngest AI Professor

At just 30 years old, Alicia von Schenk has established the Chair of 'Economics of AI' at the University of Würzburg, making her the youngest professor of Artificial Intelligence in Germany. Her goal is to illuminate the complex relationships and challenges of AI technology and to critically question the current hype. Von Schenk emphasizes that many myths about Artificial Intelligence are widespread. She explains that the notion that AI can completely replace human intelligence is misleading.

Instead, she views AI as a tool that can complement human abilities but should not replace them. This perspective is particularly relevant in the current discussion about the role of AI in society. A central concern for von Schenk is raising awareness about the economic impacts of AI. She highlights that companies implementing AI technologies often face challenges that go beyond technical aspects, including ethical questions and the necessity to train their workforce accordingly.

The professor is convinced that a solid education in AI and data analysis is essential for the future job market. She calls for a stronger integration of these topics into school and university curricula. This is necessary to prepare the next generation for the demands of the labor market. Another aspect von Schenk addresses is the importance of transparency in AI development. She criticizes that many companies do not disclose their algorithms and data, leading to a lack of trust in the technology.

In her opinion, developers and companies should be required to make their AI systems understandable. Von Schenk's research also focuses on the social implications of AI. She investigates how AI can either exacerbate or reduce inequality in society. Her studies show that access to AI technologies is often unevenly distributed, which could exacerbate existing social issues. As part of her teaching, von Schenk plans to initiate interdisciplinary projects that bring together students from various fields.

These projects aim to help develop innovative solutions for the challenges of AI. She sees this as an opportunity to promote understanding of AI beyond technical boundaries. The University of Würzburg supports von Schenk's approach by providing resources for research projects, including both financial support and access to modern technologies and data. The university aims to take a leading role in AI research.

Von Schenk has already published several papers on AI and economics. Her work has been published in renowned journals and has gained international attention. She plans to present her research findings at upcoming conferences to foster exchange with other experts. The professor is convinced that the future of AI lies in the collaboration between humans and machines.

She calls for an open discussion about the ethical and social challenges associated with the introduction of AI technologies. "We must ensure that AI is used for the benefit of society," says von Schenk. The University of Würzburg will host a public lecture by Alicia von Schenk on the topic of "The Future of Artificial Intelligence" on September 15, 2026.