On May 5th and 6th, the AI@Smile project partners gathered in Piraeus, Greece. With the project set to conclude at the end of August, the meeting served as a review of the activities and outcomes achieved so far.

The discussions focused on assessing the current project stages. Key topics included the testing and evaluation of the developed AI tools, which are designed to detect early signs of mental health deterioration in teenagers. Additionally, the partners discussed dissemination strategies to ensure the project’s results and findings are widely shared and effectively reach the intended audiences.

With less than four months remaining, the partners outlined the final tasks and objectives. The meeting was productive, and the consortium is now focused and motivated to complete the final stage of the project by the end of August.

Website: https://aismile-project.eu/

Digital Learning Platform: https://bit.ly/4dAnYOe

The two-day networking meeting of the ZDIN Future Lab Water provided a successful framework for intensive dialogue, new impetus and the further development of joint ideas.

In perfect weather, numerous committed stakeholders came together to discuss current issues and innovative approaches in the field of digital water management. The focus was on sensor technology, data-based solutions and future-oriented concepts for sustainable agriculture.

It became particularly clear how much motivation and technical expertise is being used in the Water Laboratory of the Future to develop practical solutions to meet the challenges of climate change in the water sector. The talks, impulses and discussions opened up many exciting points of contact for further cooperation.

Many thanks to all participants who contributed their perspectives, experiences and ideas. Anyone who is active in the Future Lab Water or is interested in smart water solutions in agriculture is cordially invited to continue the dialogue.

04.05.2026

The ARISE project group also began its work on 1 April 2026 (start of the 2026 summer semester). The PG takes place in co-operation with the Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Wasserverband (OOWV). The PG is currently working on the vision and objectives together with the supervisors of the VLBA, Software Engineering Group and the OOWV and is coordinating its work so that this work can be completed in mid-May/early June and the requirements analysis can begin. The PG is embedded in the topic of the Climate Adaptation Act.

PG ARISE

Mr M.Sc. Johann Schütz successfully defended his thesis defence on 02.04.2026 with the title " Am Systemübergreifende technische Schulden in föderierten Systemen von Systemen: Understanding, identifying and managing using the example of the electrical energy domain" successfully defended. The Department of Information Systems VLBA congratulates him.

The official kick-off meeting of the RECOMPOSE project took place on 4 March 2026, bringing together representatives from the Departments of Music, Education and Computing Science. The interdisciplinary project aims to use AI-supported music generation to redesign the concept of "Black Box - Critical Digital Education".

Prof Dr Felicitas Macgilchrist, Prof Dr Jorge Marx Gómez, Prof Dr Mario Dunkel, Dr Carolina Wehye and Saira Philip took part in the meeting. Prof Dr Macgilchrist officially introduced the project, kicking off a series of informative discussions. Dr Carolina Wehye presented the musical and pedagogical vision of RECOMPOSE and showed how innovative approaches in music can support critical digital education. Saira Philip explained the technical vision and gave insights into the AI-based frameworks and systems that will drive the project forward.

During the meeting, the participants were introduced to each other and had the opportunity to get to know each other. In addition, the project overview was discussed using presentation slides, the first draft of the development ideas and the initial schedule including systematic review and design-based research (DBR). In addition, aspects of project management, upcoming events and communication strategies were discussed. The kick-off meeting thus laid a solid foundation for interdisciplinary collaboration and marked an important step towards achieving the ambitious goals of the RECOMPOSE project.

The Winter School 2026 was a success and the University of Oldenburg team would like to thank all participants and guests for their active involvement and valuable contributions.

The past two and a half weeks in Oldenburg were characterised by rich knowledge transfer, interesting lectures and exciting visits. The cooperation with the partner institutions was of particular quality and contributed to the success of the project.

Special thanks go to the following partner institutions:

OFFIS with Julia Köhlke and Jürgen Meister
Resource Centre Oldenburg with Katharina Dutz and Niko Paech
Immenhus with Dirk Orth, Daniel Lüllmann and Leonie Feldhus
OOWV with Tammo Janßen, Volker Bruns, Stephan Baecker, Silke Bücker and Marius Wybrands
Landesamt Steuer Niedersachsen with André Klümpen and Keyvan Narimani

The International Office with Jenka Schmidt and Roman Behrens also supported the project with great commitment in all phases.

The Winter School 2026 not only imparted knowledge, but also promoted new partnerships and cooperation. The participants were able to exchange and deepen their knowledge in an inspiring environment.

The Uni Oldenburg team wishes all participants a safe and pleasant journey home and every success in their future projects.

At the 46th annual conference of the Society for Computing Science in Agriculture, Forestry and Food (GIL ) in Soest, Hauke Precht presented key results of a study on data spaces in the agricultural sector conducted as part of the TiPP project.
A systematic literature study identified and discussed seven key challenge categories, including business and financial issues, legal framework conditions, interoperability and data heterogeneity.

Further information can be found on the TiPP project website https://projekt-tipp.de/2026/03/02/herausforderungen-von-datenraeumen-im-agrarsektor-praesentation-von-hauke-precht-uni-ol-auf-der-gil-tagung-2026-in-soest/ and in the published paper on pages 118-128 gil-net.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Referate-der-46.-GIL-Jahrestagung.pdf

Mr Johannes Schering successfully defended his thesis entitled "Stakeholder-oriented KPI system for optimising the work process in bicycle traffic planning" as part of his thesis defence on 15 January 2026. Congratulations from the Department of Information Systems VLBA.

Dear visitors, 

We can look back on an eventful and instructive year in 2025; a year full of challenges, exciting scientific developments and valuable shared experiences in the fields of business informatics, sustainability and environmental and sustainability research. As a teacher, researcher and companion in interdisciplinary networking, I am delighted to look back on what we have achieved and to start the new year 2026 with great energy and confidence, which once again offers us the opportunity to further develop innovative ideas, share knowledge and further strengthen the bridge between science, teaching and social practice. Together with students, colleagues and partners, we are committed to advancing digital transformations and sustainable solutions, driven by creativity, cooperation and a sense of responsibility. 

I wish you all a happy, healthy and successful 2026 - full of discoveries, inspiring encounters and shared progress! 
 

Sincerely
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jorge Marx Gómez