Alicia von Schenk Leads Chair for AI Economics

Alicia von Schenk has taken over the chair for "Economics of AI" at the University of Würzburg at just 30 years old. Her appointment comes amid rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in Germany and worldwide. Von Schenk, who previously worked at renowned institutions such as the University of Mannheim and Stanford University, feels a responsibility to research the economic and societal impacts of this technology. The chair will focus on analyzing the economic implications of AI. Von Schenk plans to initiate interdisciplinary research projects that consider both economic and ethical questions.

She emphasizes the need to look beyond the current hype surrounding AI and to consider the long-term consequences for the labor market and society. A central concern for von Schenk is to educate about the realistic possibilities and limitations of AI. She warns that many companies and investors are investing in the technology without fully understanding the associated risks. Her research will also address how companies can use AI responsibly. The University of Würzburg has already announced that the chair will closely collaborate with industry.

Cooperations with companies interested in the development and implementation of AI solutions are planned. Von Schenk sees this as an opportunity to gain practical insights and to directly transfer research findings into the economy. Another aspect of her work will be the education of students in the field of AI economics. Von Schenk aims to develop a curriculum that imparts both technical and economic knowledge. This is intended to ensure that future professionals are capable of understanding and leveraging the challenges and opportunities of AI.

The establishment of the chair comes at a time when the federal government is increasingly focusing on promoting AI technologies. As part of the federal government's AI strategy, a total of 3 billion euros will be invested in research and development by 2025. Von Schenk will play a key role in establishing the scientific basis for these investments. The discussion of the ethical implications of AI will also be an important component of her work. Von Schenk plans to organize workshops and conferences to promote dialogue between science, industry, and society.

She sees this as an opportunity to raise public awareness of the opportunities and risks of AI. The first research projects under her leadership are expected to start in the upcoming semester. Von Schenk has announced that she is also seeking international collaborations to promote the exchange of ideas and best practices. This could help strengthen Germany's competitiveness in the global AI market.

With the establishment of the chair for "Economics of AI," the University of Würzburg will become one of the leading institutions in this field in Germany. Von Schenk is convinced that research at the intersection of economics and AI will be crucial for the future development of the technology. "We must ensure that AI is used not only efficiently but also ethically," she explains. The first results of her research projects are expected to be published in 2027.