Prof. Dr. Ute Schmid is a leading computer scientist whose research explores the fundamental principles of cognitive systems, explainable artificial intelligence, and human-like machine learning. As a key figure in German AI research, her work bridges computer science and psychology to better understand how intelligent systems learn, reason, and interact with humans in transparent and trustworthy ways.

A central focus of her research is the development of comprehensible and human-centered AI systems. By combining approaches from inductive programming, neuro-symbolic AI, and interactive machine learning, her work investigates how models can generate meaningful explanations—visual, verbal, and example-based—and how humans can remain actively involved in the learning process. This provides a powerful framework for advancing explainable AI and aligning machine reasoning more closely with human cognition.

Ute Schmid is Professor of Cognitive Systems at the University of Bamberg, where she heads the Cognitive Systems Group and serves as Executive Director of the Bamberg Center for Artificial Intelligence (BaCAI). Her interdisciplinary research spans machine learning, cognitive science, and AI in education, with applications in medicine, industry, and intelligent tutoring systems.

She studied psychology and computer science at the Technical University of Berlin, where she completed her doctorate in 1994 and her habilitation in 2002. Her academic career includes positions at TU Berlin and the University of Osnabrück, as well as a research stay at Carnegie Mellon University, before joining the University of Bamberg in 2004.

Schmid has played a key role in shaping explainable AI in Germany, including heading the Fraunhofer IIS project group Comprehensible AI. She is an elected fellow of EurAI and GI and a member of acatech. She is also committed to education, public outreach, and promoting diversity in computer science.

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