Accepted Poster
Poster Short Abstract
Konstanz on AI is a student-led citizen science project exploring how citizens of Konstanz perceive AI. With interactive posters and an “AI Action Day” we gathered and analyzed experiences and opinions with citizens, showing ambivalent views and the potential of small-scale student-driven projects.
Poster Abstract
Konstanz on AI is a citizen science project developed by four sociology students at the University of Konstanz. The project explores how citizens of Konstanz, a small town in southern Germany, perceive and engage with artificial intelligence.
Our poster presents the process of transforming a seminar idea into a city-wide citizen science project within only three months. Using interactive posters distributed across the city as well as an “AI Action Day” in the city center, we collected opinions, interviews, and survey data. The analysis of this material was carried out collaboratively with citizens, ensuring that the interpretation of results remained grounded in local perspectives.
The findings reveal strong ambivalence towards AI: enthusiasm about its potential, coexists with skepticism and concern. Beyond the results themselves, the project highlights the importance of space for community-based interaction, research, and dialogue.
The poster also reflects on the methodological choices we made: using interactive posters as low-threshold entry points and a public action day as a forum for dialogue. Both formats enabled participation across age groups and levels of prior knowledge.
At the same time, the project raised questions about sustainability and continuity. How can temporary student projects create lasting engagement? By sharing our answer and reflections we aim to contribute to broader discussions on how citizen science can be adapted, and integrated into everyday urban life as well as higher education.
This poster aims to demonstrate that citizen science does not necessarily require long-term projects, led by experts. With a learning-by-doing approach, motivation, and engaged citizens, meaningful citizen science can also emerge from a student-led project.
Poster Session