Nov 13, 2025
AI research meets practice: Professor Michael Färber in China
How can artificial intelligence (AI) shape the production of tomorrow and at the same time open up new avenues in the humanities and linguistics? These were the questions addressed by a delegation led by Prof. Dr. Michael Färber, Professor of Scalable Software Architectures for Data Analytics at ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig at TU Dresden, during their most recent visit to China in November 2025.
One focus was on the exchange with Xenon Automation Technology in Suzhou. On site, the delegation gained insights into state-of-the-art manufacturing processes - from precise assembly to AI-supported quality control. Technology expert Martin Schiffner and his team showed how Xenon is optimizing production processes with its "AI + Smart Manufacturing" strategy.
"Xenon’s ability to integrate AI technologies into industrial settings aligns closely with ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig’s frontier research agenda," explained Prof. Färber. "AI is not a substitute for humans; it amplifies human capabilities. Our goal is to free engineers from repetitive tasks and enable them to focus on higher-value innovation."
Xenon General Manager Tingting Hu added: "With the academic strength of ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig and the industrial experience of Xenon, we complement each other perfectly. We look forward to turning advanced AI technologies into real productivity."
In addition to talks with industry, Prof. Färber also used the trip for academic collaborations - for example with the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. There, he presented his team's current research work on large language models and knowledge graph technologies, which open up new approaches for scientific text analysis, language simplification and digital humanities. Discussions with the School of Foreign Languages also explored prospects for more in-depth collaboration, for example in the fields of computational linguistics, intercultural communication and digital humanities. Joint teaching and research formats, exchange programs for students and researchers as well as block seminars and summer schools are planned.
Furthermore, Prof. Färber gave a guest lecture at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan. Numerous students and researchers attended the lecture, which discussed current developments in the fields of large language models, information retrieval and trustworthy AI. The focus was on the traceability and citation capability of AI systems.
The visit underlined how ScaDS.AI Dresden/Leipzig combines research, innovation and international knowledge transfer - from intelligent manufacturing to digital language research.