The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the landscape of research, industry, and society with unprecedented speed and scope. AI technologies have evolved far beyond their initial conceptual boundaries, now performing sophisticated tasks such as data analysis at scale, automated image and text generation, and complex decision-making processes in medical and scientific fields. The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina will gather leading thinkers and practitioners in the field to examine both the transformative potentials and inherent challenges of AI at their 2025 Annual Assembly. This landmark event underscores the critical juncture at which AI development stands, highlighting its implications across multiple domains.
Scheduled for the 25th and 26th of September 2025, the Leopoldina Annual Assembly, entitled “Artificial Intelligence,” invites international experts to convene at the historic Leopoldina Main Building in Halle (Saale), Germany, with provisions for remote participation, reflecting the global importance and accessibility of this discourse. The assembly aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of AI—from foundational research breakthroughs to societal impacts—fostering interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges computer science, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
Opening the event at 2 p.m., Leopoldina President Professor Dr. Bettina Rockenbach will set the tone for the discussions, emphasizing the dual nature of AI as a source of both remarkable opportunity and significant ethical and practical risk. Welcoming remarks by Dr. Lydia Hüskens, Deputy Minister President and Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, along with Rolf-Dieter Jungk, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, will underline governmental recognition of AI’s strategic importance at local, national, and international levels.
The assembly will also celebrate innovations in AI research by honoring Professor Dr. Zeynep Akata with the “ZukunftsWissen – the Early Career Award” in partnership with the Commerzbank Foundation. Dr. Akata’s work focuses on explainable AI, a crucial subfield dedicated to making AI systems transparent and interpretable. This highlights a technical dimension of AI addressing one of its most pressing challenges: the ability to understand and trust algorithmic decision-making processes that impact human lives and societal infrastructures.
Adding to the ceremonial gravitas, the Cothenius Medal 2025 will be bestowed upon Professor Dr. Kai Simons for his lifetime achievements in science. As a biochemist known for pioneering research into cell membrane function and virus-host cell interactions, Simons exemplifies the cross-disciplinary nature of contemporary scientific inquiry. His work reinforces how AI intersects with molecular biology and medicine, where computational models and AI-driven simulations increasingly augment traditional methods.
Another striking feature of the opening day will be the unveiling of the portrait of Professor (ETHZ) Dr. Gerald Haug, the Leopoldina’s President from 2020 to 2025. Crafted by renowned Leipzig-based artist Hans Aichinger, the portrait will be added to the Presidents’ Gallery, symbolizing institutional continuity in advancing science policy and research excellence during a period of rapid technological change.
The intellectual centerpiece of the first day will be the keynote speech by Dr. Cordelia Schmid, a globally recognized leader in computer vision and Research Director at INRIA in Grenoble, France. Her lecture will traverse the historical arc and future trajectory of artificial intelligence, with a focus on how AI systems are taught to “see” the world—fundamentally altering the possibilities for automation, image recognition, and sensory data processing in fields ranging from autonomous vehicles to medical imaging diagnostics.
Following Dr. Schmid’s lecture, a distinguished panel discussion featuring scholars such as innovation researcher Professor Dietmar Harhoff, computer scientist Professor Dr. Niki Kilbertus, and mathematician Professor Dr. Nadja Klein will critically examine how AI technologies can best serve humanity. Moderated by science journalist Christoph Drösser, the discussion promises to illuminate the societal frameworks needed to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating ethical dilemmas, biases, and unintended consequences.
The second day of the assembly will feature a series of in-depth lectures addressing AI’s transformative role across diverse scientific disciplines. Professor Dr. Sami Haddadin will delve into advances in robotics, discussing how AI-enabled machines are becoming increasingly adept at handling complex tasks in uncertain environments. Professor Dr. Susanne Crewell will present insights into how AI enhances meteorological modeling, improving weather predictions and deepening understanding of climate dynamics through advanced data assimilation and pattern recognition.
Dr. Alex Bateman will explore the revolutionary contributions of AI-driven tools such as AlphaFold, which have fundamentally altered biochemistry by predicting protein structures with remarkable accuracy. This development underscores AI’s growing capacity to accelerate scientific discovery by replacing laborious experimental procedures with predictive computational models.
Beyond the natural sciences, the assembly will provide platforms for reflection on the ethical and societal implications of AI. Professor Dr. Judith Simon will discuss the development of trustworthy AI systems, engaging with the philosophical questions surrounding autonomy, fairness, and responsibility. Sociologist Dr. Philipp Lorenz-Spreen will analyze the intricate relationships between AI, social media ecosystems, and democratic processes, stressing the urgent need to understand how AI-mediated information flows influence public discourse and political stability.
The scientific coordination of the event, led by mathematician and computer scientist Professor Dr. Thomas Lengauer alongside physicist and computer scientist Professor Dr. Klaus-Robert Müller, reflects a commitment to rigorous interdisciplinary integration. Their leadership ensures that the assembly addresses both theoretical innovations and practical applications, facilitating dialogues that resonate with academic researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Importantly, the assembly signals openness and inclusivity by welcoming the public at no cost and providing bi-directional translation between English and German. This accessibility aligns with the Leopoldina’s mission to disseminate knowledge widely and foster public understanding of science-driven policy matters. The event will be livestreamed, extending its reach and impact beyond the physical venue.
The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, established in 1652 and recognized as Germany’s National Academy of Sciences since 2008, plays a pivotal role in shaping science policy by offering unbiased, interdisciplinary, and scientifically grounded advice to governments and society. Its involvement in the international scientific dialogue, particularly with G7 and G20 nations, underscores the global stakes of AI governance and research trajectory.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, the 2025 Leopoldina Annual Assembly stands as a crucial forum for dissecting the complex intersections of innovation, ethics, and societal change. The gathering invites robust engagement with both the technical underpinnings and broader implications of AI, advancing a more nuanced understanding of how these systems can be aligned with human values and sustainable development goals.
Subject of Research: Artificial Intelligence and its interdisciplinary impact across sciences and society
Article Title: German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina to Host Landmark Assembly on the Future of Artificial Intelligence in 2025
News Publication Date: Not explicitly stated (event date: September 25-26, 2025)
Web References: https://www.leopoldina.org/en/annual-assembly-2025
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Computer science, Computer modeling, Engineering, Ethics, Sociology, Philosophy
