While the project was successfully extended until March 2026 , an important step towards the stabilisation and sustainability of the project results was also taken last week. In the run-up to the HumAIne spring fair, the HUMAINE Network e.V. was founded from the competence centre - naturally with the participation of the centre of cooperation RUB/IGM in the form of Prof. Dr Manfred Wannöffel.

As one of 23 founding members, we are particularly concerned with the aspects of co-determination and the involvement of works councils and employees. When introducing AI-involved work systems, the respective works councils play a key role, as they must be involved in the integration of AI as part of their protective and organisational functions if relevant areas of the work process are affected. The works council not only has the advice, but also the duty to accompany the introduction of AI in the company - however, there is often a lack of design aids and the introduction of AI is associated with many uncertainties. With our involvement, both in the project and in the association in the future, we want to strengthen and support interest groups so that human-centred AI use can succeed. The tools we have developed, such as the model works agreement, are intended to create security for planning, employment and legal issues while finding a solution based on social partnership. The HUMAINE Network e.V. association thus lays an important foundation for the existence of our competence centre beyond the project itself.

The Humaine Spring Fair and the Humaine Career Fair took place immediately after the association was founded.
After the welcoming speeches, including those by the mayor Züleyha Demir and the project manager Prof Dr Uta Wilkens, the project results to date could be experienced on the basis of a large number of exhibits. An intensive exchange between project partners and interested parties from research and practice was possible. On the following day, students and graduates were able to find out about employment opportunities and future work with AI. The stand of the centre of cooperation RUB/IGM was well attended and offered a contact point for interest groups as well as interested employers with many exciting discussions.