Digitisation of the Sciences, from Structures to Processes

Dear members, friends and sponsors of the GDNÄ,

The digitisation of science enables the analysis and simulation of complex processes using computers based on structural models.

For the first time in its almost 200-year history, GDNÄ comes to Saarland, which is ideally suited as a state of information technology for this topic of our 130th meeting.

The Internet and the first wave of digitization had revolutionized access to scientific results. In the meantime, computer science has developed methods for all sciences to automatically evaluate digital mass data. However, the second wave of digitisation triggered by this also fundamentally changes the way scientists work and thus holds enormous potential for breakthroughs in science, medicine and technology.

Mass data are automatically classified by machine learning algorithms, experiments are carried out by robots, new connections are discovered by artificial intelligence and hypotheses are tested. However, the focus continues to be on scientists who, with their curiosity and passion, overcome existing boundaries within and between disciplines in order to gain completely new insights – increasingly often supported by digital assistants.

In addition to its university’s internationally renowned Department of Computer Science, Saarland has the highest density of associated institutes in the field of computer science: In addition to the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence headed by me, the Helmholtz Center for Cyber Security, the Leibniz Center for Computer Science at Schloss Dagstuhl, the Max Planck Institute for Computer Science and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems make the Saarland Informatics Campus with its joint Cluster of Excellence a prime location for digitization.

In addition to the Nobel Lecture and the Leopoldina Lecture, the programme offers 15 invited lectures by top researchers from medicine, biology, physics, chemistry and technology, supplemented by six laboratory tours within walking distance with practical insights over lunchtime.

The historic part of Saarbrücken exudes French charm and is worth a visit for its excellent cuisine and three-star restaurant. The GDNÄ participants will be spoiled culturally with a unique concert evening in the late baroque Ludwigskirche, a reception of the Lady Mayoress in the Knight’s Hall of the town hall as well as a performance of the Saarländisches Staatsballet after the noble lecture in the Staatstheater.

This big event was only possible with generous donations, for which we would like to thank all our sponsors! The importance of our 130th meeting is underlined by the patronage of the Federal President and the opening by the Prime Minister of Saarland.

Take an active part in our dialogue on the future and discuss the opportunities and risks of digitising the sciences with renowned experts!

I look forward to your participation in the 130th GDNÄ meeting in Saarbrücken.

Saarbrücken, June 2018

Yours Wolfgang Wahlster
President of GDNÄ

Exclusive New Wave Cup with GDNÄ logo for speakers and supporters of the 130th meeting in Saarbrücken from 14.9.-17.9.2018

As a small gift and thanks for their commitment, the speakers, volunteers and donors will receive a cup decorated with the GDNÄ logo.

The cup from the NewWave series with the characteristic wave shape made of the finest premium porcelain in pure white from the world brand Villeroy and Boch (est. 1748) serves as a souvenir from Saarland. The NewWave collection, which was awarded the “Innovation Prize of German Industry” and the “Trend Tableware of the Year”, impresses with its asymmetrical shape and curved lines.

At the invitation of GDNÄ President Prof. Wolfgang Wahlster, the second regional meeting for the Saarland and West Palatinate region was held on February 21st. 15 dedicated GDNÄ members met at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in the late afternoon. Prof. Wahlster gave a lecture on “Machine Learning – Application Success and Open Problems”, which was discussed intensively especially with regard to the implications for applications in the field of medical assistance systems and autonomous driving.

The focus was on many suggestions from the attending teachers on how students could be encouraged to become more interested in becoming a member of the GDNÄ. Many concrete suggestions for an optimized member communication and further service functions were introduced by the members. Overall, all participants were convinced that such regional meetings are suitable for making membership of the GDNÄ more attractive.

Agenda 17.00 – 19.30 hours

• Welcome and introduction of the participants (15 minutes)
• Preview: the scientific programme and the laboratory tours of the 130th meeting in Saarbrücken (15 minutes)
• Preview: the cultural and social programme for the 130th meeting (5 minutes)
• Scientific short lecture: Machine Learning – Application successes and open problems (30 minutes, Prof. Wahlster)
• Discussion on ideas for the further development of the 130th assembly and the commitment of regional members and other sponsors (20 minutes)
• Discussion on measures to increase the number of participants from our region (20 minutes)

Out of the 74 invited members, 39 did not reply, 9 had to cancel for reasons of time, 15 members participated.