New at the CDSC: Our lecture series for the general public

Scientific insights increasingly shape societal decision-making and public debate. It is tehrefore essential that research findings do not circulate solely within scientific communities but are communicated to the public in an accessible way. Only when scientific foundations, assumptions, and uncertainties are transparent can they provide orientation and enable informed public discussion.

The research areas represented at the CDSC carry a particular responsibility in this regard. Artificial intelligence, data science, and complex systems influence not only many aspects of everyday life but also societal and political debates—for example in automated decision-making processes, climate and health research, or the analysis of social dynamics. Complex systems, for example, often exhibit properties or patterns that cannot be directly explained by the characteristics of their individual components. Nonlinear systems, in particular, frequently behave in ways that contradict everyday intuition and simple cause-and-effect reasoning.

This is where the “CDSC Schnittstellen” lectures come in. Drawing on the technical meaning of interfaces as points of information exchange, the series provides a communication pathway between modern science and the public. The topics are presented in an accessible, illustrative, and comprehensible manner, encouraging questions and active engagement. Rather than focusing on technical details, the emphasis lies on understanding relationships, underlying principles, and societal relevance.

“CDSC Schnittstellen” is aimed at a broad, interested public—from school students to retirees. No prior expertise is required—curiosity is all you need.

Please note that the lectures are held in German.