University of Kassel develops AI prototypes for social work

Scientific support is provided by the Department of Project Management in Digital Transformation (PMDT) at the University of Kassel under the direction of Prof. Dr. Timo Braun. The project is being integrated into teaching by Joana Gerstle, research assistant at the PMDT department. "The project is particularly appealing for our students because they can not only apply theoretical knowledge here, but also work on socially relevant issues," says Braun. "With this special course, the student teams immerse themselves in real interdisciplinary project work and develop innovations for a good cause." During the technical implementation of the prototypes, the students also receive coaching from Dr. André Knie, Managing Director of the start-up DataHive, which is also involved in the collaboration.

The developments relieve the employees of the cultural center, for example through automated searches for funding opportunities, structured documentation of work processes and an information system that offers guidance to those seeking advice, for example when registering for language courses or offers in the family center. This becomes particularly clear in one of the prototypes: A project group has developed an interactive reception terminal for the advice center. There, people seeking advice - for example refugees - can communicate in their respective national language by voice input. They receive AI-supported, tailored information, for example on suitable language courses or the relevant contact points. This in turn frees up time for the employees of the cultural center, which they can use for other direct human contact.

Mirko Zapp, Managing Director of the cultural center, also sees great potential and emphasizes the practical impact: "With these developments, we want to give our employees more time for our core task: social work with the people who come to us for advice and support. As a first step, AI should take over repetitive tasks and reduce bureaucratic work. Subsequently, we would like AI to support multilingualism in advisory processes and enable our participants to find orientation and information independently, e.g. in the integration process," says Zapp.

The project results will be presented to the public on 16 July 2025 from 9:00 to 12:00 at the Schlachthof cultural center. In addition to the student prototypes, representatives from both institutions will provide input on the role of AI in social work. Among others, Prof. Dr. Ute Clement, President of the University of Kassel, Mirko Zapp, project manager Andrea Scholle and Prof. Dr. Timo Braun are expected to attend.

Background

Since the beginning of 2025, the Kulturzentrum Schlachthof has been testing practical AI solutions for social work as part of the long-term project "Rückenwind". The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the European Union via the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus). The aim is to develop AI-based prototypes together with practitioners and gradually integrate them into the work processes of social institutions.

Registration at: rueckenwind[at]schlachthof-kassel[dot]de

Contact for queries:

Andrea Scholle (Kulturzentrum Schlachthof, Project Leader Rückenwind) 
a.scholle[at]schlachthof-kassel[dot]de

Joana Gerstle (University of Kassel, Department of Project Management and Digital Transformation) 
gerstle[at]uni-kassel[dot]de