„Robots, assistance systems and artificial intelligence - new forms of human-machine interaction“

1-2 June 2017 at Marbach Castle, Öhningen
Conference of the IGZA and IG Metall Executive Board, Future of Labour Department

„Robots, assistance systems and artificial intelligence - new forms of human-machine interaction“

The public conference focused on dialogue between experts from the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalisation. The focus was on technological development and the operational implementation of automation processes. How fast is artificial intelligence spreading in factories, offices and everyday life? How is human-machine interaction developing and what is designable and desirable?

These and many other questions were up for open, interdisciplinary discussion. The aim was to provide information on the current status of the

The focus is on the areas of artificial intelligence and robotics as well as practical and ethical approaches for the actions of research, companies, trade unions and politics in Germany.

In addition, new possibilities for a „humanisation of work“ and for strengthening co-determination in companies were discussed. From a macro perspective, the potential employment effects for Germany and other countries were also critically analysed.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
CONFERENCE BAND

Comments on the conference

Contrary to what many people claim, the conference showed me that a digital production model is not just a future prospect in Germany's leading industrial sectors, but is already a reality. A crucial question for the future will be whether and how a European social model can benefit from this.

Dr Philipp Staab, Fellow, IGZA

The Marbach conference organised by IZGA and IG Metall stood out from the flood of conferences on Industry and Work 4.0 due to its consistently multidisciplinary perspective. Future forecasts by production experts, leading robot manufacturers and AI researchers were critically reflected upon by social scientists, HR experts and works councils. One thing became clear: The opportunities for a sustainable humanisation of work and a consistently employee-oriented technology design have never been as good as in the age of lightweight robotics, augmented reality and ergonomic exo-skeletons. However, the human-centred world of work does not come about by itself, but needs to be shaped. With a bit of luck, the Marbach conference was the starting point for a new alliance to humanise the world of work. HdA reloaded.

Dr Thyme Bussemer, Head of Human Resources Strategy and Sustainability at Volkswagen AG and member of the SPD's Basic Values Commission

Videos

  • Welcome and presentation by Dr Horst Neumann,
    History of labour and degree of automation

    ( Video Welcome - 5 min | Video Lecture - 13 min)

  • Welcome and presentation by Jörg Hofmann,
    Good work in the digitalised world of work

     (Video- 9 min)

  • Lecture by Prof Dr Alin Albu-Schäffer,
    Key note on artificial intelligence

     (Video- 41 min)

  • Lecture by Prof Dr Wilhelm Bauer,
    Fields of application for robots in production

    (Presentation | Video - 26 min)

  • Short contribution by Alfred Löckle,
    Human-robot interaction

     (Video- 14 min)

  • Lecture by Dr Birgit Graf,
    Assistance robots for care support

     (Video- 25 min)

  • Fireside chat with Prof Dr Christoph Hubig,
    Should and can artificial intelligence act ethically?

     (Video- 40 min)

  • Lecture by Prof Dr Sabine Pfeiffer,
    Smart technology, smart people? Autonomous systems and qualification

    (Presentation | Video - 25 min)

  • Lecture by Prof Dr Hartmut Hirsch-Kreinsen,
    Work organisation model

     (Video- 26 min)

  • Lecture by Dipl.-Ing. Michael Breme,
    Automotive production of the future

     (Video- 28 min)

Documents

  • IGZA: Theses on automation and the future of human-machine interaction

     (Document)

  • IGZA: Expert survey on artificial intelligence and automation (Survey among the conference participants)

     (Document)

  • Press reviews

  • Handelsblatt, 07/06/2017 - Robots start a revolution on the factory floor

    (Article)

  • Südkurier, 03/06/2017 - The robots are coming, slowly

    (Article)