skip breadcrumb navigation to main content

Focus areas

A researcher interacts with a robot — © Bielefeld Universität / Patrick Pollmeier

AI*IM: Interactive Inclusive AI for People with Cognitive Disabilities

AI*IM (Artificial Intelligence*Inclusive Medicine) brings together scientists from nine faculties (research areas) with a common goal: to sustainably improve the health, participation and self-determination of people with cognitive (mental) impairments through inclusive assistance technology and artificial intelligence. The focus area (project) combines medical expertise with cutting-edge (newest) technological research and social responsibility. Researchers from the fields of medicine, technology, linguistics (language science) & literary studies, health sciences, educational science, psychology, philosophy and sociology (social research) work closely with self-advocacy groups of people with cognitive impairments. In this way, AI*IM creates a unique research environment in which technological innovation and social inclusion go hand in hand.

Easy Language

You can find an explanation of AI*IM in Easy Language here.

News and events

eine gruppe von teilnehmenden fotografiert von oben und in die kamera schauend — © Universität Bielefeld/ Sarah Jonek

Spotlight

The working group AI*IM Consent of the focus area will meet at the ZiF in spring 2026 on the topic of „Die Ambivalenz der Autonomie und ihre Auflösung durch die Assistierte Autonomie (A*5)“"!

The aim is to bring together international researchers from philosophy, medical ethics, computer science, sociology, psychology and health sciences as well as experts from their own experience to discuss the ethical tensions between self-determination and the need for support in medical decisions as well as new ways of assisted autonomy.

In three workshops, guidelines, research impulses and participatory formats will be developed to promote the inclusive use of AI assistance systems and strengthen the interdisciplinary profile and networking of AI*IM.

Here you can download a summary of the planned Focus Group A*5 with further information!

Scoping workshop on inclusive medicine in Hanover

From 4-6 February 2026, around 30 experts from the fields of medicine, law, Philosophy, politics, journalism and self-advocacy came together for the first time at Herrenhausen Palace in Hanover for a three-day scoping workshop on inclusive medicine. The event was funded by the Volkswagen Foundation and focussed on the question of how inclusive, participatory and barrier-free medicine can be shaped in the future.

The aim of the workshop was to identify key research needs, formulate priority issues and develop the basis for a sustainable research and care structure. The focus was on the following fields of action in particular:

Targeted funding structures for inclusive medical research projects
Consistent participation of people with disabilities in the sense of co-creation - from the development of research questions to evaluation
Ensuring relevance and protection against unnecessary risks in research projects
International networking and exchange with existing models and best practices

In addition, the extent to which existing structures of medical care, education and training systematically include - or unintentionally exclude - people with disabilities was discussed. Exemplary projects at various locations in Germany already display promising approaches that should be more closely networked and further developed in the future.