Digitalization - between artificial intelligence and human intuition

Hanover, November 25, 2021

"Navel" is the name of the first socially interacting care robot , which Claude Toussaint from navel robotics GmbH presented at the livestream event. Navel recognizes attention, is always attentive - and never gets tired. Loads that a human being cannot carry. In the future, Navel could support specialists in care facilities, for example. Help that is urgently needed. But Navel also makes it clear just how great our human sensorimotor talents are: stairs are an insurmountable obstacle for the robot, it rolls on wheels. "It will be years before a robot can lift people in the care sector, for example," said Reinhard Karger, spokesperson for the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI , who opened the evening with his keynote speech.

The expert made it clear that AI can support us humans and that this help is not only urgently needed in care. However, AI is also a powerful instrument that needs to be controlled and regulated. Because, according to the expert, in an open world, common sense, which cannot be beaten by computers, must always come first. He therefore calls for the development of AI with self-explanatory capabilities , because only if humans understand why a computer recommends things or actions can they take responsibility for them. This technology does not yet exist internationally, but he believes that Europe has the best chance of leading the way in the future.

"Without our control, AI is like a lighter in the hands of an arsonist ," explained Reinhard Karger, referring to totalitarian systems and the surveillance of people by AI. Help from technology is desirable in all areas and everyone should try out the opportunities it offers.

The team led by Elke Anderl, Head of Service Development and Innovation at Deutsche Telekom Services GmbH , is also testing the possibilities of AI. Like a concierge, the "Ask Magenta" chatbot directs customer inquiries to the right person and already handles around 30 percent of requests automatically. However, a handover to a human is possible at any time. The AI hands over the chat protocol at the same time so that a customer problem does not have to be repeated.

The help provided by artificial intelligence has also become indispensable in industry, as Nils Funke, Head of BizDev & Product Owner Industrial AI, Agile IT Management GmbH , described. From possible disruption forecasts in production to logistics and document processing, the potential of AI is huge and can already help with existing data to recognize patterns in order development, for example. He called on all companies - large and small - to get to grips with the opportunities offered by AI.

Curiosity about AI and robotics is important because it is the little sister of a good idea, emphasized Reinhard Karger. And curiosity is also high at Sparkasse Hannover: "We are only at the beginning," admitted host Marina Barth, Deputy Chairwoman of the Sparkasse Hannover Management Board . But: "I see the opportunity to improve the customer experience with the help of AI, for example by reducing the waiting time for service inquiries. But artificial intelligence can also help us with more complex issues: We could speed up loan approvals and offer our customers more individual and even personalized solutions."

Co-host Doris Petersen, Managing Director of Hannover's business development agency, hannoverimpuls GmbH , emphasized that the penetration of AI in almost all industries is unstoppable. It is therefore important for companies to actively shape change processes, keep an eye on risks and opportunities in equal measure and involve their employees. The Economic Development Agency is always ready to provide advice and assistance or to refer experts: "Challenge us, tell us what your needs are!" The unanimous opinion of the digital panel was that humans and machines make an unbeatable team for the future when combined intelligently and with common sense. The event was moderated by Christina von Saß (NDR1) .

Click here for the recorded livestream: click