AI Competencies in International Comparison
How are countries around the world preparing students, educators, and institutions for an AI-driven future? This session explores international approaches to AI literacy from the perspective of the DAAD’s global network. Looking at different national contexts, it highlights how higher education systems are integrating AI across disciplines, linking technical skills with questions of ethics, inclusion, sustainability, and innovation. The comparison shows that AI competencies are shaped not only by technology, but also by political priorities, institutional structures, and cultural values.
Speakers
Dr. Regina Ring
Head of the Digital Development and Transformation Team, DAAD – German Academic Exchange Service
Dr. Regina Ring is Head of the Digital Development and Transformation Team at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Her work focuses on digital transformation in higher education, international academic exchange, and the strategic implications of artificial intelligence for universities, teaching, learning, and skills development. Drawing on insights from the DAAD’s global network, she brings a comparative perspective on how higher education systems around the world respond to AI-related challenges and opportunities.
Focus: Digital transformation in higher education, AI literacy, international academic exchange, and global perspectives on teaching and learning.
Nick Reinert
Research and Communications Officer, DWIH New York
Nick Reinert is Research and Communications Officer at the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Maastricht University. His work focuses on communications, public outreach, and partner engagement in the German-American science and innovation ecosystem.
Focus: Data analytics, artificial intelligence, technology-driven organizational change, and the societal impact of AI in education, research, and innovation.
Anja Grecko Lorenz
Head of Programmes, DWIH São Paulo
Anja Grecko Lorenz is Head of Programmes at the German Centre for Research and Innovation São Paulo. She previously served as Executive Director of the Brazil Center at the University of Münster and brings nearly 20 years of experience in international cooperation across higher education, science, innovation, and public policy in Europe and Latin America. She studied Economics and Latin American Studies at Freie Universität Berlin and has held positions in Hamburg, Barcelona, São Paulo, and Brasília.
Focus: International science cooperation, higher education policy, innovation ecosystems, and research collaboration between Europe and Latin America.
Dr. Laura Blecken
Deputy Director, DAAD Tokyo / Head of Programs, DWIH Tokyo
Dr. Laura Blecken is Deputy Director of the DAAD Tokyo Office and Head of Programs at the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) Tokyo. At DWIH Tokyo, she has organized several events on artificial intelligence and is currently involved in planning the 5th Japanese-French-German AI Symposium in Tokyo. She earned her doctorate in Japanese Studies at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and has been living in Japan for 12 years.
Focus: German-Japanese academic exchange, international research cooperation, AI-related science dialogue, and higher education developments in Japan.