Long day of writing: AI as the key to scientific success!

Long day of writing: AI as the key to scientific success!

On March 6, 2025, the “Long Day of Writing” took place at the Viadrina University in the European University, organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLL). This event, which was celebrated in its 15th year, has set itself the goal of promoting exchange about scientific writing and learning new techniques in this area. Dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing process was a central thematic focus. The ZLL provided various offers, including workshops on reading techniques, stress management and a yoga session.

Anja Voigt-Färber, the head of the ZLL, emphasized the importance of writing as a key competence in the academic context and believed that everyone was able to learn good writing. Participant Maria Mammeri-Latzel, a 65-year-old student, expressed how much she appreciates the support of the ZLL in her master's thesis. However, the use of AI applications, which are now present in everyday life of students and teachers, raises new challenges.

The role of AI in the writing process

dr. Sigrun Meinig, who advises teachers on the use of AI tools, pointed out that AI does not automatically make writing easier. Rather, a conscious and targeted use of these technologies must be sought. Anja Voigt color also warned that reflection on his own letter must be reinforced. The ZLL is planning a faculty learning community for the summer semester 2025 that will deal with these topics in detail.

like TU-Dresden.de reports, AI writing tools support scientific writing in a variety of ways. According to Limburg et al. (2023), among other things, enable infinite inspiration by generating different text editions, as well as an exchange about texts that promote critical thinking. AI can act as a helpful tool that contributes to creating better founded and more differentiated academic texts.

The debate about the use of AI in university teaching shows a split reaction: While some emphasize the opportunities and positive perspectives, the challenges are by no means ignored. The AI ​​applications are promising, but an examination of their use and the possible consequences is imperative. This is also made in Discussion Paper of the Ki-Campus AI shows in the educational context.

The long day of writing on the Viadrina was not only a platform for exchange and learning, but also an opportunity to critically deal with the dynamic developments in writing practice. The conscious use of AI could help to raise the level of scientific writing in the long term, provided that the challenges do not conflict with this upswing.