How do we make meaning, create knowledge, and shape public debate when algorithmic systems mediate what can be said and heard? What knowledge, and which linguistic and technical skills, are needed to understand the conceptual, social and technical foundations of large language models? How can we encourage critical thinking and collaborative meaning-making beyond pattern reproduction? What is needed to foster critical debate and an independent, democratic academic culture in the age of AI?
This colloquium is opens up an interdisciplinary space for exploring the culture of language, discourse and knowledge construction in the age of machine learning and to jointly discuss the social and educational challenges that come with it. While the colloquium is hosted by Prof. Schneider’s team and from the perspective of critical language studies/ sociolinguistics/ linguistic anthropology, everyone is welcome to join to foster interdisciplinary exchange. This includes all students, PhD candidates and colleagues from all institutes and disciplines at Circle U and Viennese universities. Online participation will be provided for members of Circle U universities.
The colloquium presents three talks by experts who work on the future of language, writing, education, knowledge creation and technical infrastructures in the context of AI technologies. Furthermore, we host three sessions in which work-in-progress on these topics can be presented. These slots are particularly meant for MA and PhD students to present their ongoing work.
For more information, please visit the course webpage.
Assessment
Form of assessment (e.g. essay, presentation): Attendance and participation 25%, Presentation or commented bibliography 75%
- Attendance, participation and presentation OR
- Attendance, participation and development of commented bibliography OR
- Attendance, participation and social media post on one of the presentations
Expected Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will:
- Develop a basic understanding of language from the perspective of sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology, and apply this knowledge to critically examine LLMs.
- Understand LLMs in their linguistic, technical, political and socio-historical context.
- Understand the interface design and textual output of LLMs as an effect of human action and in its sociopolitical grounding.
- Understand that AI language technologies impact on language development, writing practice, public discourse and knowledge generation.
Important Info
All students, PhD candidates and colleagues from all institutes and disciplines.
Please register via the Registration form by 25 Oct. Registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, we strongly recommend that interested applicants register as early as possible, as places can fill up quickly.
After applying, students must complete their course registration by 27 Oct in u:find.
Applications open: 28-09-2026
Applications close: 25-10-2026
Start Date: 28.10.2026
End Date: 31.01.2027
Note: Excact time will be announced soon
Søren Bro Pold (Aarhus University)
Malthe Stavning Erslev (Aarhus University)
Janus Mortensen (University of Copenhagen)
Daniel Knuchel (University of Zürich)
Samantha Goodchild (University of Vienna)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Britta Schneider
britta.schneider@univie.ac.at
For inquiries, please contact: circle-u@univie.ac.at
