The 5th International Interdisciplinary Symposium between Doshisha University and the University of Tübingen Held!
April 11, 2025
On March 11 (Tuesday) and 12 (Wednesday), 2025, Doshisha University, in collaboration with the University of Tübingen, held The 5th International Interdisciplinary Symposium. The symposium took place at the Kambaikan Hardy Hall and the Ryoshin-kan R305 at Doshisha University.
The theme of this symposium was “Humans and AI: Coexistence and Conscience – Toward a Future Where Humans and AI Develop Together for the Improvement of Society.” Researchers from various fields at Doshisha University and the University of Tübingen engaged in multi-perspective discussions.
During the keynote speech at Kambaikan Hardy Hall, President Katsuhiko Kohara of Doshisha University delivered a lecture titled “AI and Conscience: From the Perspective of Religious and Cultural Diversity.” During his lecture, President Katsuhiro Kohara emphasized the importance of constructing environmental ethics in light of the ongoing societal shift from natural and cultural environments to a digital one. He discussed how this transition calls for thoughtful consideration of environmental ethics in the midst of these changes. Professor Katja Schenke-Layland, Vice-President of the University of Tübingen, spoke about the Tübingen AI Center, a hub for AI in Europe, and the ELLIS-Institute Tübingen, a European network of excellence focusing on fundamental science, technological innovation, and societal impact. She highlighted how these initiatives are creating excellent research environments to attract top-level machine learning researchers from around the world.
In Panel 1, discussions were held on the transformative effects of large language models (LLMs) on communication and community-building, social robots and their role in communication, and the potential of AI’s massive visual data processing and modeling of neural processes. Ethical challenges in communication were also discussed.
On the following day, Panel 2 focused on the applications and developments of AI in space technology and medical sciences, while Panel 3 addressed legal issues surrounding regulation in marketing and organoid intelligence.
The symposium saw a total of 110 participants, including graduate students, engaging in lively discussions. New exchanges were fostered in each of the thematic panels. The DU-UT Symposium is expected to contribute to the further development of research collaboration between both institutions.
Program
https://research.doshisha.ac.jp/news/news-detail-68/
| Keynote Lecture I | |
 | “AI and Conscience: From the Perspective of Religio-cultural Diversity” Professor Katsuhiro KOHARA, Th.D., President, Doshisha University |
| Keynote Lecture II | |
 | “Artificial Intelligence in Tübingen – Highlights and Perspectives” Professor Dr. Katja SCHENKE-LAYLAND, Vice President, University of Tübingen. |
| Discussion | |
 | Professor Katunobu KIHARA, Ph.D., Vice President, Doshisha University Professor Dr. Katja SCHENKE-LAYLAND, Vice President, University of Tübingen. Professor Katsuhiro KOHARA, Th.D., President, Doshisha University |
 | Professor Yoko Akiyama, Ph.D. Director, Doshisha EU Campus at Tübingen University |
| Panel Ⅰ | <Humans and AI> |
 | Professor Tomoyuki HIROYASU, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Takamasa IIO, Ph.D. Professor Teppei MATSUI, Ph.D. Professor Dr. Jessica HEESEN Professor Dr. Regina AMMICHT QUINN, |
| Panel Ⅱ | <AI in Space Technology> |
 | Visiting Professor Kazunari SHIBATA, Ph.D. Professor Dr. Andrea SANTANGELO, |
| Panel Ⅱ | <AI in Medical Sciences> |
 | Professor Dr. Katja SCHENKE-LAYLAND Professor Dr. Carsten EICKHOF Professor Masaya IKEGAWA, M.D., Ph.D. |
| Panel Ⅲ | ＜AI and Legal Challenges＞ |
 | Professor Tuneo MATSUMOTO Professor Noriko KAWAWA Professor Dr. Jessica HEESEN Dr. Alina WERNICK, |
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| group photo | |
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Media contact
Organization for Research Initiatives & Development
Doshisha University
Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0394, JAPAN
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