Alicia von Schenk Leads Chair for AI Economics

Alicia von Schenk has established the chair for "Economics of AI" at the University of Würzburg at just 30 years old. Her research focuses on the economic impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its integration into various industries. The chair was officially inaugurated in May 2026 and is intended to serve as a platform for interdisciplinary research and teaching. Von Schenk emphasizes that the current hype surrounding AI brings not only opportunities but also challenges. She calls for a deeper examination of the fascination with technology and an analysis of its long-term effects on the labor market and society.

Her views are based on extensive studies and analyses she has conducted in recent years. A central concern for von Schenk is the ethical dimension of AI development. She argues that companies and developers bear responsibility to ensure that AI systems are fair and transparent. This is crucial for strengthening public trust in these technologies. The University of Würzburg plans to launch several research projects in the coming years that will address the application of AI in various sectors.

These include healthcare, the automotive industry, and finance. Von Schenk sees great potential for innovations enabled by AI in these areas. Another focus of the chair is the education of the next generation of professionals in the field of AI. Von Schenk aims to develop a curriculum that addresses both the technical and economic aspects of AI. This is intended to help students better understand the complex relationships between technology and economics.

The establishment of the chair occurs in a context where the demand for AI experts in Germany is steadily increasing. According to a study by Bitkom from 2025, Germany is short about 124,000 professionals in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This gap is to be closed through targeted training offerings at the University of Würzburg. Von Schenk has already published several papers on the topics of AI and economics. Her work has been published in renowned journals and has gained international attention.

She is convinced that research in the field of AI economics is crucial for Germany's competitiveness. The opening of the chair is seen by the University of Würzburg as an important step in the academic landscape. The university aims to position itself as a leading institution in the field of AI research. This is being done in collaboration with various industry partners interested in developing new technologies. The first events of the chair are planned for the upcoming semester.

These will include both lectures and workshops addressing current trends and challenges in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Von Schenk hopes to engage a broad audience and promote dialogue about the future of AI. “We must ensure that AI is not only seen as a technological toy but as a tool that can sustainably improve our lives,” says von Schenk. Her vision is to bridge the gap between science and practice to responsibly harness the potentials of AI.