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Exploring AI in Dresden: Robots in Religious Education
Introduction to AI in Dresden Education
The city of Dresden is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into education, particularly to address the ongoing teacher shortages. A unique experiment at the Evangelical Kreuzgymnasium has seen a robot named 'Navel' taking on the role of a religious education teacher.
Robots in the Classroom: The Dresden Experiment
On October 21, 2025, the Evangelical Kreuzgymnasium in Dresden introduced a humanoid robot, Navel, to teach a class on religion. The initiative is part of a research project by the KI-Kompetenzzentrum of the TU Dresden, exploring how students interact with non-human educators.
Challenges and Opportunities in AI Education
While Navel provides precise answers, such as explaining a 'Fürbitte' as a prayer for others, the absence of human empathy poses challenges. Religious teacher Bettina Hürten acknowledges the robot's support but emphasizes the irreplaceable value of human interaction.
Broader Implications and Human Insights
The involvement of robots in education raises questions about human identity and the role of technology in learning. As Professor Birte Platow from TU Dresden observes, the experiment encourages students to ponder on what distinguishes humans from machines.
Dresden's experiment with AI in education highlights both potential benefits and challenges. While technology can address practical issues like teacher shortages, the emotional and ethical elements of teaching remain deeply human, underlining the need for a balanced integration.
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