Revolution in university teaching: Potsdam presents new AI tools!

Revolution in university teaching: Potsdam presents new AI tools!

Potsdam, Deutschland - The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into university teaching is increasingly taking on more form. Today, on February 27, 2025, the University of Potsdam has announced a significant step in this area. The digital service GPT.UP, a AI-based chatbot that answers text inquiries in real time, was introduced at the end of 2024. Users have the option of choosing different AI language models, which makes it extremely easier to use AI in teaching. Data protection is very important; Personal data is not forwarded to manufacturers and it is not allowed to enter such data in GPT.UP.

The early examination of the University of Potsdam with AI innovations can also be seen in an upcoming position paper on "AI in university teaching", which will be published in early 2025. According to the university, the service will not only be available for members of the University of Potsdam, but also for the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and the Film University. Teachers can use GPT.UP to enrich their events to and offer students support.

diversity of the language models

An essential feature of Gpt.UP is the selection of different AI language models. These models vary in terms of size, training data and licensing. The "Deepseek" model, which was added in February 2025, needs less computing power and promises quick answers. However, there are concerns about data protection and censorship, in particular due to the higher political bias that can result from the selection of training data. Deepseek is also hosted by the GWDG in a data protection environment.

The use of artificial intelligence in university teaching is considered increasingly important, not only as support for teachers, but also to promote learning among students. According to an article by Anja Riedel and Martina Mörth from the Technical University of Berlin, understanding the functionality of generative AI (Genki) is of crucial importance for teachers. KI can be both a learning aid and challenge , and there are numerous recommendations for the responsible use of AI tools in the apprenticeship.

opportunities and risks of the KI

The opportunities of AI in education are diverse. It promises a personalization of learning, improved teaching methods and optimized administrative processes. At the same time, however, considerable risks were also identified. Data protection problems, algorithmic distortions and increased educational inequality are just a few of the challenges that, according to an analysis of the potential and risks of AI, must be taken into account in education. Studies show that a well-founded understanding of the potential and limits of AI use is required .

The discussion about the role of AI in teaching is conducted against the background of ethical and legal questions. The possibility of a loss of competence (deskilling) due to the use of AI is also an important topic, whereby the personal responsibility of the students should be particularly emphasized. Ultimately, the current development shows that AI is integrated into university formation, but at the same time a conscious handling of these technologies must be maintained.