Trust in generative AI – Science and politics in dialogue

The development of generative AI technologies raises fundamental questions about social control, ethical embedding, and political regulation. Trust in such systems cannot be taken for granted, nor can it be created purely through technical means. It requires institutional reliability, transparent responsibilities, and social participation.

The Leopoldina discussion paper “Generative AI – beyond euphoria and simple solutions” (2024) formulates guidelines on this issue: It emphasizes that trust in generative AI must be built through responsible technology design, political regulation, and public negotiation. At the same time, the new German federal government has set its own priorities in its coalition agreement (2025) – such as innovation-friendly implementation of the EU AI Act, promotion of digital infrastructures, and strengthening competitiveness. 

The webinar brings both perspectives together: The discussion will focus on the extent to which scientific recommendations and political decisions coincide – and where there are tensions, gaps, or misunderstandings. The aim is to have an open exchange on how trust in AI can be promoted responsibly. 

Panel guests:

• Prof. Dr. Judith Simon (Chair of Ethics in Information Technology, University of Hamburg, Deputy Chair of the German Ethics Council)
• Prof. Dr. Niki Kilbertus (Professor of AI for Scientific Modeling, Technical University of Munich, member of the Young Academy)
• Ronja Kemmer, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU, Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group for research, technology and space, digitalization, and state modernization)
• Rebecca Lenhard, Member of the German Bundestag (Bündnis 90/Grüne,) member of the German Bundestag's Committee on Digital Affairs and State Modernization and spokesperson for her parliamentary group on digital affairs and state modernization)

Moderator: Vera Linß (Deutschlandfunk)

The event is held in GERMAN and it is a collaboration between Leopoldina and "Die Junge Akademie".