HIAS bringing scientific excellence to Hamburg

HIAS, modelled on Princeton in the United States, hosts outstanding scholars and researchers from all corners of the globe as part of the University of Hamburg's excellence strategy. Over a period of three to ten months, the fellows conduct research and gain direct access to the local academic community. Leone arrived in Hamburg last September, and his wife and 16-month-old daughter followed in early 2025. To attract the best minds in academia, HIAS welcomes the fellows' partners and children to Hamburg, arranges schooling and childcare, and accommodates the families in the University of Hamburg's guest house. This allows the fellows to concentrate fully on their research projects. Leone specialises in autonomous facial recognition and people's reaction to it. "I am particularly interested in the balance between enthusiasm and scepticism towards AI. The protection of privacy and civil rights remains strong in Germany. Accordingly, the use of cameras in the cityscape is highly regulated and it is interesting to see where such systems can be found and what they are allowed to do."

In Shanghai, for instance, where Leone also teaches, people's faces are scanned at the coffee machine to get a drink, he explains, unlike Hamburg. Yet, AI systems at the airport are speeding up the check-in procedures, and video surveillance is being used in certain suburbs to tighten security. HVV is also planning a pilot project for AI-assisted pattern recognition in video surveillance to identify safety-critical situations faster. So how does Leone rate people's  attitude to AI in Hamburg? "I was surprised at how open and positive the topic is treated. They are aware of the risks, but at the same time they recognise and boost the opportunities."

Such a balanced approach is not the norm, says Leone, who has been a visiting professor at universities on all five continents. The approach to AI in the US and China differs vastly, he says, adding: "In China, the state supports the technology and uses it for political control, whereas the market is driving the use of AI in the U.S., with large companies leading its development." Open AI, Softbank, Oracle and MGX recently joined forces in the Stargate project and are investing up to US$ 500 billion in American AI infrastructure over the next four years. "These approaches beg the question of how Europeans should react," says Leone.  "We should develop an alternative, like a European smartphone or a social network that corresponds to European culture."

The underlying AI should be carefully thought out and developed responsibly, Leone stressed. "Developers need an idea of what kind of society we want. Ethics should not be viewed as a limit, but as a given." An interdisciplinary development team could be set up to achieve such an objective. The development requires both technical expertise and the inclusion of philosophical skills.

The more perspectives, the more creative the team. Leone  will continue his research as a fellow until June. "People who are considered the most eminent in their respective fields come together here and discuss our issues on an equal footing. That leads to an extremely creative atmosphere." And that is by no means coincidence. "When putting together the fellows, we make sure that the mix of scientific disciplines, career stages and countries of origin is as diverse as possible," said Christian Suhm, Secretary General of HIAS. Such diversity is the prerequisite for great discussions in the institute and with society. "We want to be a kind of nexus and share international knowledge with Hamburg and spread it all over the world." Around 85 fellows at HIAS now act as HamburgAmbassadors as well. "The approach is yielding positive results. "We are delighted to see Hamburg emerge as a vibrant hub of scientific excellence, which is reflected in the surge of applicants."
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