A Disembodied Future? Discussing the Relationship between Humans and Machines

With Philosopher Prof. Dr. Suzana Alpsancar, Heinz Nixdorf Institute, Paderborn University; psychologist Dr. Jürgen Buder, Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tübingen; economist Dr. Marina Chugunova, Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich and sociologist Prof. Dr. Roger Häußling, Institute for Sociology, RWTH Aachen University
Moderation: Christian Schiffer, Head of the “Netzwelt” department, Bayerischer Rundfunk

As part of Shu Lea Cheang’s exhibition KI$$ KI$$, renowned scientists discuss our future in the age of intelligent machines.

Out-of-control robots, an AI-controlled avatar and the composting of digital waste – the artistic world of the Taiwanese-American artist offer us an exciting and playful insight into her visions of the future – and at the same time challenge us to reflect on the possible consequences of technological developments.

Join us for a discussion at the Ludwig Forum exploring fundamental questions about the relationship between humans and machines, artificial intelligence, innovation, and the social consequences of these developments.

Admission from 5.30 pm. The event will be held in German.
Free admission.

Prof. Dr. Suzana Alpsancar (Heinz Nixdorf Institute, Paderborn University)
Suzana Alpsancar is Full Professor of Philosophy and Ethics of techno-scientific Cultures at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute, Paderborn University, and is leading a team of thirteen researchers and assistants. She investigates sustainable digitalization, explainable AI and dual-use of drones as PI in the ERC-funded research project “Cultures of the Cryosphere”, the DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center “Constructing Explainability”, and the project “Secure, Resilient and Intelligent Unmanned aircraft Systems” (SeRIUS) funded by the Heinz Nixdorf Stiftung. She is a co-editor of “Social Explainable AI: Communications of NII Shonan Meetings” (2026) and serves as associate editor for “Digital Society” and the “Jahrbuch Technikphilosophie” (JTPhil).

Dr. Jürgen Buder (Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien, Tübingen)
Jürgen Buder works as a psychologist at the Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien (IWM) in Tübingen. In his research he investigates the interaction of humans and computers, with a particular focus on the conditions under which computers are perceived as humanlike. Moreover, he also is doing research on how humans deal with opposing views on (social) media. He has contributed to more than 100 scientific publications on these and other topics.

Dr. Marina Chugunova (Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich)
Dr. Marina Chugunova is a behavioural and experimental economist at the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition in Munich. Her research spans human interaction with technology, digitalisation and gender disparities. She examines how interactions with technology affect individual behaviour and what increased technology use means for society beyond productivity gains and labour market effects. She uses experimental methods in both controlled settings and real-world environments, complemented by large-scale survey and observational data. Her research has been published in leading international journals.

Prof. Dr. Roger Häußling (Institute for Sociology, RWTH Aachen University)
Roger Häußling is Professor of Sociology of Technology and Organisation at RWTH Aachen University since 2009. His research focuses on social network research, social science innovation research and digitalisation. Häußling studied sociology and philosophy, and holds a degree in industrial engineering. He deepened his interests in technology, social sciences and art in 2002 with a scholarship at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart and, since 2009, with a senior research fellowship at the research institute of the Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design. Most recently, he co-edited the anthology “Sociology of Artificial Intelligence” (2024).

Moderation: Christian Schiffer
Christian Schiffer is an author, speaker, and head of the BR department “Netzwelt.” He works at the intersection of politics, pop culture, and digital media. He has received numerous awards for his work, most recently the Grimme Online Award in 2024. He is the editor of “Der KI-Podcast,” the ARD podcast on the AI revolution, and co-author of the successful podcast “Die Peter Thiel-Story.”

Credit: Shu Lea Cheang, KI$$ KI$$, exhibition view Ludwig Forum Aachen, 2025, photo: Carl Brunn.