For one week, 32 high school students researched, experimented and discussed at the 23rd Physics Summer at TU Ilmenau. From September 8 to 12, 2025, this time everything revolved around artificial intelligence.
From AI chatbots using large language models such as ChatGPT to translation software, medical diagnostics and weather forecasting: artificial intelligence (AI) has long since shaped our everyday lives. But what are the mathematical and physical principles and thought models behind it? How does AI differ from "real" intelligence? And what can AI really do - and what can't it do?
In order to find answers to these questions, the young people at the Ilmenau Physics Summer not only dealt with a variety of methods in their project work - from classic computing to machine learning and deep neural networks. They also investigated the biological processes in the brain, which serve as a model for neural networks, and looked at various areas of application for AI such as robotics and ChatGPT.
The program was supplemented by experiments in the basic physics practical course at TU Ilmenau. "I am impressed by how much the students have learned in such a short time," says Dr. Anke Sander, head of the basic practical course. She was particularly impressed by how intensively the young people engaged with the practical experiments and the material from the physics course:
We want them to be able to try things out and experiment on their own. They thought it was great that we trusted them to do this.
In small groups, the young people concentrated on their projects, researched and worked on their presentations - sometimes voluntarily without a break. Some of them had traveled all the way from Hesse, Bavaria or Saarland to put what they had learned at school into practice during their vacations or to swap the classroom for the laboratory. At the end, the best presentations were awarded book prizes.
Realizing machine learning with statistics and probability calculation
However, the focus was on gaining knowledge together, according to Prof. Jörg Kröger, Head of Experimental Physics I / Surface Physics and the Physics Summer:
The students have learned about a topic that is as red-hot as it is complex during the week. My impression is that they have understood that AI is programmed mathematics - and that machine learning can be realized with statistics and probability theory. I am also delighted that they are critically questioning the information provided by AI. This gives reason for hope, at least for this upcoming generation.
In addition to science, there was also plenty of socializing: the young people exchanged ideas and got to know the TU Ilmenau campus over dinner together or on the Ilmenau summer toboggan run.
They were accompanied on all activities by physics students. One of them is Tomke Bronsema, a fourth semester student. According to her, the physics summe was an enriching experience for her, too:
Because you are suddenly in the role of having to explain and not just understand for yourself. This challenges you in a completely different way.
The students also conveyed their own enthusiasm for physics to the participants of the college. They also answered their questions about studying in Ilmenau, says tutor Clara Köhler:
How do you live here? Where do you live when you study here? How much do you pay for an apartment?
Thus, the Physics Summer 2025 not only offered insights into a highly topical field of research, it also felt almost like studying for the students.
More impressions of the week can be found in the MDR report on the Physics Summer
Impressions of the Ilmenau Summer of Physics 2025
Contact
Prof. Jörg Kröger
Head of Experimental Physics I / Surface Physics