The DDLitLab team has launched a comprehensive program to inform students about generative AI through various channels and enable them to exchange ideas on these topics. This included a regular newsletter, which will continue to be published by the Hamburg Center for University Teaching and Learning (HUL) even after the project has ended, as well as handouts and a range of workshops. In addition, we have published the video series “Generative AI at the University of Hamburg,” in which experts from the university report on in-depth topics related to gKI. The accompanying podcast series goes into even greater detail on the various topics.

Podcast series: Generative AI at the University of Hamburg

In this podcast, we talk to experts from the University of Hamburg about generative AI. We are Mareike Bartels and Jennifer Preiß from the DUTy team at DDLitLab. In our conversations, we try to answer open questions about generative AI in teaching and learning: How does it work? What is allowed? What are the limitations? Why should I bother with it?

These and many other questions are addressed in the various episodes with different interviewees. And they all talk a little bit about themselves and their roles and research areas at the University of Hamburg.

Workshops for UHH students

The introduction of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has led to considerable uncertainty in the higher education context. Many students do not use the tools at all, some are unsure what is permitted, and others may already be using them extensively for their studies without being fully informed about how they work and their limitations.

This workshop focuses on the basics of using generative AI in a study context. Together, we will look at various tools in terms of how they work, their possibilities, and their limitations. The goal is for participants to ultimately decide for themselves whether and how they want to use generative AI in their studies—and thereby also be able to guide other students in this decision. To this end, a large part of the workshop is based on exchange among participants, which is why it is aimed at beginners as well as more experienced genAI users.

Workshop contents:

• How generative AI works
• Various tools for studying
• (Legal) limitations
• Possibilities and limitations
• Personal conclusion

AI-Guide for students: „You are the expert!“

In addition, based on the needs identified among students, we have created a handout that summarizes the most important DO’s and DON’Ts, as well as the essential functions of AI and its use for students. The guide was published in fall 2025. It is available for download as a PDF and can also be displayed as a poster in the departments and facilities of the UHH.

And in our video series “AI Hands-On,” we provide practical tips on the specific use of AI tools in your studies and for your own term papers.

Our AI community for educators brings together people who are actively shaping digital transformation. Workshops and networking meetings focus on practical questions, specific tools, and open exchange.

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and others raise many questions, not only at the University of Hamburg—from fundamental goals of higher education to new practical design possibilities for one’s own teaching to specific aspects of examination law. Our event series and Community of Practice “AI Hands-On” focuses on precisely these aspects.

AI Hands-On always welcomes people from all faculties and institutions. The event benefits from interdisciplinary exchange and enjoys a large number of participants. A mailing list has also been created with over 185 registered interested lecturers from the UHH, who are regularly informed about events and current developments.

We are particularly pleased that the AI Hands-on event series will be continued by HUL beyond the end of the DDLitLab project – the space for exchange will remain!

How do students and teachers use AI? Nearly 3,000 members of the UHH shared their perspectives on AI — the basis for needs-based offerings. How is generative AI changing everyday life at the university?

A survey of students and faculty

Since the summer of 2023, we have been conducting annual surveys to find out how students and teachers at the University of Hamburg use generative AI in their studies and teaching - and what challenges they encounter in doing so. The results form a central basis for the development of needs-based support services at UHH.

What began as a spontaneous reaction to the hype surrounding ChatGPT has developed into a fixed component of our university observation practice:

• In 2023, we launched our first exploratory survey – the response was overwhelming.
• In 2024, based on the second survey, we were already able to identify trends and classify initial comparative figures with other universities.
• In 2025, we will continue the series and focus, among other things, on the use of UHHGPT, the data protection-compliant ChatGPT version for all university members. In addition, we have now been able to examine developments over time in even greater detail.

Our studies not only shed light on how AI tools are used in practice, but also on the questions, uncertainties, and attitudinal dilemmas associated with them. The goal: to provide data-based insight into the everyday reality of students and teachers — as a starting point for reflection, design, and the development of university teaching methods. The results of the first two surveys have been published in several scientific publications.