“The event deliberately emphasises the open nature of the topic: the AI4EF activity area is aimed at all members of the university community – regardless of whether they are already working with AI or are looking to explore it for the first time, and regardless of whether they work in teaching, research, technology or administration,” explains Dr Erik Freier. The Managing Director of the
interdisciplinary center for machine learning and data analytics (IZMD) is a member of the activity area’s coordination team.

The AI BBQ is therefore aimed at everyone at the University of Wuppertal who develops or applies AI, intends to work with it in the future, or is interested in the thoughtful use of artificial intelligence.

The event in September in Building K will focus on inspiration and networking. Robert Queckenberg, project coordinator at Ruhr University Bochum and a member of KI:Expertisezentrum.nrw – the centre through which the 36 higher education institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia will coordinate and implement their cross-institutional activities in the field of AI in future – will give a guest lecture. This will be followed by presentations of projects funded by the Teaching Innovation Fund. Through this fund, the University of Wuppertal supports digital formats, interdisciplinary approaches and the reflective use of AI in teaching.

Following the main programme, the organisers invite participants to engage in discussion and informal networking. Refreshments will be provided in the form of drinks and a barbecue buffet.

Registration is required at https://ai4ef.af.uni-wuppertal.de/de/veranstaltungen/ki-bbq-2026/