The Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence Applications has been established at the University of Gdańsk. The new unit will play a key role in coordinating the flow of information and AI-related initiatives at the university, integrating the academic community, and responding to the real needs of the economy.
Dr. Jakub Neumann, Professor at the University of Gdańsk from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics (WMFiI), has been appointed as the Director of the Laboratory. The official appointment took place on March 27, and he assumed the position on April 1 of this year.

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As emphasized by the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, artificial intelligence is increasingly affecting our lives, including the academic sphere:

"We have set the directions of action that will allow us to responsibly and consciously harness its potential. This is an important step towards an even stronger integration of scientific research and practical applications of AI - not only in the exact sciences but also in the social sciences and humanities."

Origins of the Laboratory

The decision to create a university-wide unit stems from the growing importance of AI and the immense need to exchange knowledge, experience, and competencies. The impulse came from direct signals from the community - both from students and scientific clubs, as well as from the business environment (especially companies from the Tricity area) - who reached out to the decanal authorities of WMFiI.
Prof. Neumann noted that the current academic structure, based on a strict division into faculties, institutes, and departments, does not favor a smooth exchange of ideas. The Laboratory was created to break down these barriers, becoming a space for the implementation of interdisciplinary projects.

Mission and Main Tasks

The Laboratory will encompass all fields of science - from humanities and social sciences, through exact and natural sciences, to medical and engineering-technical sciences. The main tasks of the unit include:

• Coordination and integration of all university AI initiatives.
• Conducting and supporting research and development, as well as social projects.
• Cooperation with business and institutions to solve problems significant to society and the local environment.
• Development of research competencies for staff and students, and the popularization of science.
• Focus on ethics and law: As a public university, the University of Gdańsk feels a special obligation to shape responsible laws and care for ethical aspects when implementing AI. This work is carried out in cooperation with researchers from the Faculty of Law.

Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

The new unit has already achieved its first research and publication successes in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics. Key projects and plans of the Laboratory include:

• NeuroAI: An innovative project implemented with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the startup Medalion Technology. It involves solving AI-related problems using evolutionary mechanisms and the results of research on the human brain.
• Postgraduate studies: Preparing a dedicated program for teachers focusing on the use of artificial intelligence in education.
• Morze.AI: Active involvement in organizing this thematic conference.
• Internal training: Planning university-wide workshops for students and staff, introducing the mechanics and applications of AI tools.

External Cooperation and Major Challenges

The Laboratory actively cooperates with external partners, including university spin-off companies. There are plans to further develop relations with the industry and units within the Fahrenheit Universities Union.

For these plans to be fully realized, the unit must face a major infrastructural challenge. As the director notes, urgently acquiring equipment and gaining free access to computing resources has become critical for the Laboratory's functioning.

Despite these challenges, Prof. Neumann views artificial intelligence not as a threat, but as a tremendous opportunity for development. He emphasizes that the university's role is not solely to create technology, but above all to teach conscious and responsible use of it. Therefore, he warmly invites all students and staff to engage in interdisciplinary cooperation.