[Commlist] Call for Contributions: transformativ - Sharing Perspectives on AI Conference

Call for Contributions
transformativ
2025 Sharing Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence
A conference by experimenta, Heilbronn and the Center for Rhetorical 
Science Communication Research on Artificial Intelligence, Tübingen 
(RHET AI)
December 4th through 6th, 2025, Heilbronn (Languages: German and English)

Celebrated, feared, widely used – and sometimes overlooked: artificial 
intelligence. AI is fundamentally transforming our society. But what 
exactly is changing? And how? The RHET AI Center applies rhetorical 
science communication research to understand the dynamics between 
technology, research, and everyday communication surrounding AI. At 
experimenta Science Center, AI is accessible and tangible, enabling 
people from diverse backgrounds to engage meaningfully. Together, our 
aim is to foster a reflective approach to AI. Between these 
orientations, a complex field of pressing questions both theoretical and 
practical emerges – the conference transformativ tackles them head-on.

We aim to explore these questions together and from different 
approaches. We value working on these questions collectively and from 
multiple angles. To do so, we combine the expertise and methods of 
diverse actors from research, science communication, education, media, 
and the arts. We hope to discuss: What is currently happening in the 
field of AI? How do we position ourselves within these developments? How 
can we remain engaged and support one another?

New research findings, innovative communication formats, and intriguing 
initiatives are emerging every day. At the transformativ conference, we 
will work together to develop new perspectives on communicating with, 
about, and around AI. Our focus is on inquiring and bold investigation 
of the highest interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary quality, which we 
ensure through problem-oriented and discussion-provoking formats. We 
classify the vast scope of AI technologies' impact into structured 
tracks to create opportunities for effective approaches to problems and 
solutions.



Track 1: Narratives and Imagineries
The first track discusses ideas, approaches, and visual narratives 
related to AI, trace their impact on technology and society, and 
advances research perspectives.
-  Which concepts and frameworks define and limit our understanding of AI?
-  What stories and images shape our actions in science communication, 
education, 
media, and the arts?
-  How can we foster a conscious and reflective use of images and 
narratives?

This track collects recent research on personal and societal AI 
narratives and imaginaries, providing strong momentum for an intensive 
dialogue between research and practice. 


Track 2: Competencies and Approaches
The second track concentrates on the acquisition and teaching of skills 
for the holistic application of and critical reflection on AI.
-  What goals and skills are related to “AI literacy”?
-  Where and how are comprehensive AI competencies being taught?
-  How can formal and informal learning environments address the 
“digital divide”?
In this track, we will look at practical formats for skills acquisition 
as well as methods of exchange and cooperation between the various 
stakeholders. 


Track 3: Strategies and Ideas
The third track focuses on individual and societal strategies for 
addressing the challenges of new types of AI systems.
-  How can strategies and frameworks for the societal use of AI systems 
be established, and what effects should they achieve?
-  Which inspiring AI initiatives and projects hold the potential to 
impact society?
-  How can we create spaces and formats that highlight sustainable, 
fair, and socially oriented AI applications or artistic perspectives?
In this track, we want to discuss strategic initiatives and exemplary 
projects that have an impact on societal frameworks and thus show ways 
to become active.


Track 4: Persuasive Systems and Power Relations
This track examines the fact that AI systems and their various 
components are not neutral but display a variety of underlying premises 
and interests that can serve potentially harmful as well as enabling 
purposes.
-  How do social and cultural biases and norms find their way into AI 
systems?
-  How can we integrate global perspectives into the way we develop, 
think about, or use 
AI systems?
-  How should we deal with the fact that AI systems are based on and 
lead to asymmet- rical power relations?

In this track, we seek to develop a shared understanding of the complex 
web of political, cultural, economic, and technological structures that 
make up AI systems.



Interested?

To tackle these questions, we need contributions from diverse 
disciplines and communities – the more the merrier. This invitation 
explicitly targets both practical and theoretical fields of work:

AI Ethics

Educational Research
Critical AI Studies / Critical Algorithm Studies
Cultural Studies
Data Science
Didactics
Computer Science
Outreach
Journalism
Communication Science
The Arts

Machine Learning
Media Science
Museums

NGOs

Philosophy

Political Science
Psychology
Rhetoric
Science and Technology Studies
Technology Assessment
Public Relations
Science Communication
Gender Studies
...and related fields.


Practical Information
AI is a global phenomenon. As German-speaking institutions, we have 
opted for a combination of German and English as the conference 
languages. This allows us to address a wide spectrum of thematic and 
methodological topics while including diverse life and research 
realities. Tracks 1–3 will primarily feature presentations and 
discussions in German. English contributions are also welcome. Track 4 
is dedicated to international perspectives and is exclusively in English.

We work in three formats: Talk, Problem Pitch, Panel Discussion
-  Talks are scientific or practical presentations, with a maximum 
length of 30 minutes, including discussion.
-  Problem pitches consist of one or more theoretical or practical 
problems, which are discussed in the group for 45 minutes. Each pitch 
lasts 1 to 2 minutes, followed directly by discussion to search for 
solutions or to differentiate the problem.
-  Panel discussions bring 3-5 short presentations on a shared topic to 
the floor. The presentation time should not exceed 45 minutes and the 
joint discussion time with the audience should be 45 minutes.


The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2025. Submissions consist of:
-  a short abstract of max. 250 words / 2,000 characters
-  a short biography of max. 100 words / 500 characters


Please submit them via the following link:
https://eveeno.com/203813472


For more information or inquiries, please contact us at: 
(markus.gottschling /at/ uni-tuebingen.de)


We look forward to receiving innovative practice reports, research 
approaches, and future-oriented ideas.


Please note! To accommodate current trends, problems, and ideas, there 
will be another opportunity to submit or update problem pitches in the fall.

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