AI in Research and Administration

It is now almost impossible to imagine everyday life without artificial intelligence. Even in scientific laboratories, chatbots and large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, Le Chat or Copilot can assist researchers in analysing data or visualising experimental results. But which applications are actually helpful? How can reliable processes be established? Which tools handle intellectual property securely and meet data protection requirements?

The newly appointed AI task force at TWINCORE is addressing these questions. The three members are active in different areas of the research centre and bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the group’s work.

Prof. Marco Galardini is a bioinformatician and heads the ‘Systems Biology of Microbial Communities’ research group at TWINCORE. He works with large volumes of data that are virtually impossible to analyse manually, and therefore uses AI in his day-to-day research. Among other things, he gives lectures on how AI can be used to automate and thereby simplify data analysis.

Natascha von Herz is the strategic advisor to the head of administration and data protection coordinator at TWINCORE. She plays a key role in drafting TWINCORE’s AI policy and oversees the secure and data protection-compliant use of the new technology at the centre. She also examines which administrative processes can be optimised through the use of AI.

Dr Jan Grabowski, Communications Coordinator at TWINCORE, regularly uses generative AI in his day-to-day press and public relations work. He understands both the creative potential and the limitations of current tools and supports staff from all areas of the centre in using AI within various communication processes. 

The AI Task Force aims to support TWINCORE staff in using AI tools productively and securely. During regular consultation hours, questions can be answered in an accessible manner, ideas exchanged and best practices shared. The Task Force also organises lectures and workshops on the use of AI in science, featuring internal experts and external speakers. 

Marco Galardini himself will kick things off: on 16 April, he will hold a workshop on vibe coding for data analysis and will demonstrate how, without any programming knowledge, one can use AI to create one’s own software tools for evaluating research data.