AG: Generative KI

Community of Practice on Generative AI (CoP-GKI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is bringing about profound and rapid changes across nearly all areas of society, posing significant challenges for higher education institutions as well. The use of AI tools has already become an integral part of everyday life for many students and instructors – whether for literature research, text creation, or the development of learning materials.

On the other hand, many questions regarding data protection, copyright, sustainability, and ethical considerations remain unresolved. Moreover, the concrete handling of new tools, their further development, and their integration into existing teaching and learning processes are, in many cases, still untested and must often be developed in a discipline-specific manner.

The Community of Practice at Goethe University is working together to find answers to these questions.

The Community offers all interested members of the university the opportunity to actively participate and help shape the discourse on AI. We warmly welcome your involvement!

Composition of the Community of Practice

The Community of Practice is open to all members of the university:

  • Students who are interested in the field of AI and want to expand their knowledge and perspectives
  • Teachers who want to advance the integration of AI in teaching or set specific focus areas
  • Researchers who seek professional exchange and want to use the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration

The offer is aimed at all persons at the university, regardless of their previous level of knowledge in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Those interested without prior knowledge are also cordially invited to become part of the community.

Goals of the Community of Practice

The Community of Practice pursues three fundamental objectives that shape the direction and cooperation within the initiative:

  1. Providing Up-to-Date Information
    A key task is to ensure that the Community has access to relevant and up-to-date information in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This website serves as a central knowledge and information platform. Members can find insights into the latest developments, helpful resources, and current topics related to AI.
  2. Exchange
    Continuous exchange among members forms a central pillar of the Community. Through regular events, workshops, and discussion sessions, the Community of Practice provides opportunities to connect with other members of the university, engage in dialogue, and gain new insights and inspiration.
  3. Collaboration in specialized subgroups
    In addition to cross-cutting formats, the Community enables collaboration within smaller, project-based or topic-specific groups – known as the “Extended Core Team.” These groups focus on addressing practical questions and current challenges in a concentrated manner. Insights and outcomes from these groups are fed back into the wider Community.
Structure of the Community of Practice

(1) Providing up-to-date information on topics related to AI

A central aim of the Community of Practice is to provide access to current and practice-oriented information in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To support this, the CoP offers a range of resources.

  • AI-ToolLab:
    University members can use the AI-ToolLab – an environment specially set up for Goethe University that enables the safe and experimental use of various AI tools.
  • AI Blog:
    The working group maintains a blog that is regularly updated with new posts on relevant developments, events, and practical applications.
  • Qualification offers:
    A range of workshops and training opportunities is available to the Community at Goethe University, helping members to enhance their AI-related skills and build new competencies.
  • Guides:
    In order to facilitate the practical use of AI, the working group offers a set of guides designed to support and orient users in applying AI tools effectively.
  • HessenBox file collection:
    A publicly accessible folder is provided for all members of the community. This serves as a central repository for materials and resources such as:
    • Presentation slides and other materials created during workshops or training sessions
    • Concrete use cases that demonstrate how AI can be meaningfully applied in research, teaching, or administration

(2) Exchange on the Topic of AI

Exchange and networking within the Community of Practice (CoP) are central elements.

The platform Element1 serves as the main platform for exchange in the CoP. It offers an easy and direct way to engage in discussions on AI-related topics. This channel is open to all members of the university, regardless of their role or academic discipline.

  1. Element is not (yet) an official tool of GU, but is already operated by the HRZ, however without support. If you have any questions, please contact ag-gki@studiumdigitale.uni-frankfurt.de ↩︎

Step 1: Registration

Log in to the GU server in your browser using your HRZ account: https://element.uni-frankfurt.de

This sets up your account once. We strongly advise not to skip the key setup. It’s best to secure the key (a combination of numbers and letters) in a password manager. You will need this later when you want to log in on new devices.

Step 2: Setting up Apps

  1. Install messenger (Desktop, Mobile): https://element.io/download
  2. Log in to the Element app with your HRZ credentials on the server: https://matrix.server.uni-frankfurt.de
  3. Verify client. This is possible either with an already verified device or via the recovery key from Step 1.

Step 3: Update Profile and Join the GKI-CoP Channel

  1. Adjust your display name and, if applicable, your profile picture under settings. This helps others recognize you more easily in online communication, especially within familiar groups.
  2. Join the Community of Practice room “GKI-CoP” via this link: https://matrix.to/#/#gki-cop:matrix.server.uni-frankfurt.de or search for it using the room search.

(3) Active Participation in the Community of Practice through the Extended Core Team

The Extended Core Team is the in-depth working group of the CoP, where specific questions are addressed, innovative ideas are developed, and concrete projects are implemented.

How Does the Extended Core Team Work?

The Extended Core Team consists of committed members of the university who are ready to actively participate in the further development of the CoP. The team pursues two main goals:

  • Supporting the working group: The Extended Core Team acts as an engine for the entire CoP and provides important impulses for shaping projects, events, and resources.
  • Focused collaboration: Team members work in smaller groups on specific topics or projects that further increase the usefulness and innovative power of the CoP.
What do you hope to gain from the Community of Practice (CoP)?
What would you like to contribute to the CoP?(Survey from the first meeting of the E-CT)

Becoming a Member of the Extended Core Team

The CoP strives to promote active exchange and targeted collaboration. University members who wish to become part of the Extended Core Team can register directly here:

I want to actively participate!

… or simply join one of our next meetings. Direct participation is also possible without prior registration.

List of past and Upcoming Meetings: