Advances in Hybrid Artificial Intelligence
Seminar an der Universität des Saarlandes, Fachrichtung Informatik, LSF
Scope:
This seminar (HAI) is concerned with selected advances in hybrid AI with focus on neuro-symbolic learning and planning methods. Hybrid AI research investigates the feasability and benefit of combining different methods from one or different subfields of AI such as machine learning including deep learning, AI planning, automated reasoning, vision, and multi-agent systems. One prominent form of hybrid AI is neuro-symbolic AI that strategically integrates the strengths of symbolic reasoning and planning with the pattern recognition and learning capabilities of neural networks. It aims to overcome the inherent limitations of traditional symbolic systems, such as brittleness and the knowledge acquisition bottleneck, and purely connectionist deep learning models, which often suffer from opacity ("black box" problem), data hunger, and a lack of common sense or logic-based reasoning. We will take a closer look at selected methods and systems for neuro-symbolic learning and AI planning, including LLM-assisted approaches, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
The seminar type is classic in the sense that registered participants will present assigned topics. In addition, there will be two dedicated opponents for each presentation of an assigned topic. Participation in the seminar will be graded; please check the requirements page in this regard.
The seminar counts 7 ECTS credit points (CS).
Prerequisites:
This seminar aims primarily at advanced bachelor and master students in Computer Science and DSAI. Solid knowledge in AI (ideally, taken and passed introductory courses on AI, AI planning, ML, genAI, or sufficient knowledge on these areas from other sources) is required. Selected background papers for this seminar are referenced on the topic page and expected to be read and utilized by registered participants as appropriate. Attendance of the seminar without registration (no presentation and certificate) by anyone who is interested in the topics is, of course, very much welcome subject to available space. The seminar language is English.
Date and Location:
The seminar takes place on Tuesday from 16:15 - 18:00.
First session, the seminar introduction meeting with topic assignments is on 21.10.2025, 2025, 16:15 - 18:00.
The seminar takes place in-person at DFKI Saarbrücken, SIC Bldg. D3.2, in room “Turing 2” (NB +2.31), except on 21.10.2025 in DFKI Room „Turing 1“ (NB +2.30). Please ask at the DFKI reception for directions.
Application and Topic Assignment:
Application for seminars is possible through the central SIC seminar system from September 5, 2025 to October 14, 2025. Central assignment of students to the seminar will then be done by the system on October 17, 2025.
If you are interested in attending specifically this seminar, we kindly recommend you to
- send an request by e-mail to the seminar leader to put you on the list of very interested parties (LIP) as soon as possible - the topic list is already available! Please indicate your full name, enrollment# and your preferred free topics (topic#) in the order of your preference , AND
- apply for this seminar in the central SIC seminar system with indication of priority “High” and top rank , AND
- attend the introduction meeting of this seminar for topic assignment
Assignment of seminar topics will be done in two phases:
- Initial assignment: During seminar introduction meeting on 21.10.2025 (16:15-18:00, DFKI NB R +2.30 “Turing 1”)
- Late assignment: If there are still free slots (topics) available after the introduction meeting- pls check the Topics page - students can apply for them by sending an e-mail (with your full name, enrollment# and a list of free topics in the order of your preference) to and decision by the seminar leader. “First-come-first-served” assignment to students with priority for those on the LIP.
Remark: If you applied for but have not been assigned to the HAI seminar by the central SIC seminar system, please note that the assignments issued by this system are formally not binding for any student to take. Besides, it also happens that the system does not assign students to all available places of a seminar such that places may become re-available after the introduction meeting of the seminar. The late assignment of interested students to these places then will be done by the seminar organizers on request on a first-come-first-served basis with priority for students on the LIP (see above).
