[Paper Review] Was ist eine Professur fuer Kuenstliche Intelligenz?

Kristian Kersting, Jan Peters+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 17, 2019

Public Administration and Political Analysis4 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a framework for defining Artificial Intelligence (AI) professorships in Germany, based on established academic practices at German and international universities. It outlines criteria for AI professorship appointments, aiming to standardize public and political understanding of AI roles in academia, with the goal of guiding policy and ensuring internationally recognized, high-quality AI research positions are established.

ABSTRACT

The Federal Government of Germany aims to boost the research in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). For instance, 100 new professorships are said to be established. However, the white paper of the government does not answer what an AI professorship is at all. In order to give colleagues, politicians, and citizens an idea, we present a view that is often followed when appointing professors for AI at German and international universities. We hope that it will help to establish a guideline with internationally accepted measures and thus make the public debate more informed.

Motivation & Objective

• To clarify the meaning and scope of an AI professorship in response to Germany's national AI initiative.
• To address the lack of definition in the German government's white paper on AI professorships.
• To provide a practical, internationally aligned framework for appointing AI professors.
• To inform policymakers, academics, and the public about the academic standards and expectations of AI professorships.
• To support the establishment of 100 new AI professorships with clear, evidence-based criteria.

Proposed method

• Analyzing existing AI professorship appointments at leading German and international universities.
• Identifying common academic criteria such as research excellence, teaching experience, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Drawing on established academic appointment practices in computer science and AI.
• Framing the professorship as a research and teaching role focused on advancing AI science and education.
• Proposing a model that aligns with international academic standards and expectations.
• Emphasizing the importance of research impact, grant acquisition, and academic leadership in appointment decisions.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What constitutes a legitimate AI professorship in the context of German and international academia?
• RQ2 How can AI professorships be standardized to ensure quality and international recognition?
• RQ3 What criteria should guide the appointment of AI professors in public university systems?
• RQ4 How can the public and political debate on AI professorships be informed by academic practice?
• RQ5 What role do research output, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration play in defining an AI professorship?

Key findings

• An AI professorship should be defined by research excellence, teaching experience, and academic leadership, not just AI-related job titles.
• Existing appointments at top German and international universities follow a consistent model emphasizing research impact and grant acquisition.
• The absence of a clear definition in Germany’s white paper hinders effective policy implementation and public understanding.
• Standardized criteria for AI professorships can enhance the credibility and international competitiveness of German AI research.
• A shared academic framework for AI appointments can guide future public funding and institutional planning.
• The proposed model supports the goal of establishing 100 new AI professorships with academic rigor and transparency.