ELLIS Unit Jena Exhibition
November 6 – December 12, 2025
University Main Building (UHG), Fürstengraben 1, 2nd Floor, 07743 Jena
When Machines Learn for Nature: AI Research on Climate and Biodiversity
Human activity has significantly disrupted Earth’s natural systems, with far-reaching consequences for climate, biodiversity, and society. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers new ways to understand and address these global challenges. This exhibition invites visitors to explore how AI helps monitor forests, analyze land-use changes, predict extreme weather impacts, and assess environmental pollution. From mapping nitrate exposure in groundwater to identifying biodiversity loss and understanding forest resilience under drought, AI turns complex environmental data into actionable insights. It supports researchers and policymakers in protecting ecosystems, improving carbon cycle models, and strengthening resilience against climate stressors. The exhibition also highlights the interdisciplinary work of the ELLIS Unit Jena, where experts from computer science, geography, ecology, and environmental research collaborate to develop AI solutions for sustainability. As part of the European Laboratory for Learning and Intelligent Systems (ELLIS), the Jena Unit connects local excellence with a pan-European research network focused on human-centered AI.
Impressions from the Vernissage (November 6)
The vernissage opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Andreas Marx, President of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Lord Mayor of the City of Jena. The directors of the ELLIS Unit Jena, Prof. Dr. Joachim Denzler (Friedrich Schiller University Jena) and Prof. Dr. Markus Reichstein (Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry), then provided insights into the work and vision of the unit. Prof. Dr. Alexander Brenning, member of the ELLIS Unit Jena at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, presented on GENAI-X and the unit’s recent funding successes. The exhibition was officially opened by Dr. Conrad Philipp, Coordinator of the ELLIS Unit Jena at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
