Artificial Intelligence

Co-Determination Dialogues

Co-Determination Dialogues

A tool for human-centered AI implementation
Manfred Wannöffel ORCID Icon, Fabian Hoose ORCID Icon, Alexander Ranft, Claudia Niewerth ORCID Icon, Dirk Stüter
As part of the regional competence center humAIne, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), a process was developed using co-determination dialogues to establish a common understanding of the challenges involved in the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) between management, employees, and interest groups. Experiences from project partner companies such as Doncasters Precision Castings in Bochum GmbH (DPC) exemplify how co-determination dialogues not only help to develop legally binding regulations for manageable, operationally anchored, sustainable AI use but also initiate continuous qualification processes for all stakeholder groups in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the EU AI Act.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 92-98 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.84
Human-Centered AI in Companies with Employee Representation

Human-Centered AI in Companies with Employee Representation

Using the HUMAINE model for a company-specific works agreement
Alexander Ranft, Fabian Hoose ORCID Icon, Claudia Niewerth ORCID Icon, Mathias Preuß, Manfred Wannöffel ORCID Icon
The introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in companies poses new challenges for regulation and co-determination. Binding requirements have been in force since the 2025 EU AI Act, which must be linked nationally with the Works Constitution Act (BetrVG). The regional competence center humAine has developed a model works agreement on AI (MBV KI) in accordance with Section 77 BetrVG, which strengthens co-determination rights in companies and implements European regulations in a practical way. Flanked by co-determination dialogues, the MBV KI enables company-specific adaptation for responsible and human-centered AI use. Using selected parts of the MBV KI as examples, this article shows how a framework works agreement on AI can be designed and discusses its transferability to companies without a works council. The MBV KI presented here contributes to the sustainable, socially secure design of the digital transformation.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 14-21 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.14
Pre-Stages of GenAI Governance via Managerial Communication

Pre-Stages of GenAI Governance via Managerial Communication

Exploratory findings from SMEs in the Ruhr area
Niklas Obermann ORCID Icon, Uta Wilkens ORCID Icon, Antonia Weirich ORCID Icon, Matthias E. Cichon ORCID Icon, Jürgen Mazarov, Bernd Kuhlenkötter ORCID Icon
The governance of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) usage is often described as a formalized reporting system. This neglects the early-stage mechanisms of coping with ethical challenges during the GenAI implementation period. Exploratory empirical findings from the Ruhr area reveal that managerial communicative practices serve as a substitute for missing institutional structures, particularly at an early stage of GenAI implementation in SMEs.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 6-13 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.6
Ethical AI in the Workplace Through Value-Based Labels?

Ethical AI in the Workplace Through Value-Based Labels?

Lessons learned from applying the VCIO framework to an AI-based assistant
Natalie Martin ORCID Icon, Tobias Kopp ORCID Icon, Natalie Beyer, Jochen Wendel ORCID Icon, Steffen Kinkel ORCID Icon
The AI Ethics Label represents a promising approach to promoting ethical AI and appropriate trust in AI systems. However, its practical application reveals some challenges due to its conservative assessment approach, limited context sensitivity, lack of benchmarks, and interpretation aids. Improvements are needed to unlock its full potential.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 30-38 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.30
Multi-Stakeholder AI Ethics in Radiology

Multi-Stakeholder AI Ethics in Radiology

Implications for integrated technology and workplace design
Valentin Langholf ORCID Icon, Alexander Ranft, Lena Will, Robin Denz ORCID Icon, Johannes Schwarz ORCID Icon, Majd Syoufi, Pavlos Rath-Manakidis, Marc Kämmerer, Marcus Kremers, Axel Mosig ORCID Icon, Uta Wilkens ORCID Icon, Jörg Wellmer ORCID Icon
AI assistance can be seen as a welcome aid in radiology, a highly complex environment characterized by round-the-clock time pressure and quality expectations. However, it must meet high ethical standards from the perspective of both users and patients. It is a challenge to incorporate this human-centered approach into the development and introduction of AI applications.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 136-143 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.128
AI Skills for Responsible Use

AI Skills for Responsible Use

Realistic learning environments, critical thinking, and role design in teams
Valentin Langholf ORCID Icon, Niklas Obermann ORCID Icon, Uta Wilkens ORCID Icon, Marco Kuhnke, Michael Prüfer
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world of work. But how can work teams learn to use AI support in a way that delivers speed advantages and ensures consistently high quality? One possible approach is to test it in a workplace-like simulation. Trying it out under realistic conditions shows the role that critical thinking plays.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 100-107 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.92
Adapting AI Work Systems for Human-Centeredness

Adapting AI Work Systems for Human-Centeredness

A methodical approach for exploring the design space in transdisciplinary teams
Florian Bülow ORCID Icon, Michael Herzog ORCID Icon, Sophie Berretta ORCID Icon, Dominik Arnold ORCID Icon, Christian Els, Bernd Kuhlenkötter ORCID Icon
Designing adaptations in AI-based work systems poses a central challenge for achieving human-centered AI (HCAI). This paper presents a methodical approach that enables transdisciplinary teams to systematically explore and structure the design space of adaptable work systems. Building on an extended work system model and operationalized through a matrix-based framework, the method supports the identification of interdependencies, stakeholder perspectives, and context-specific goals. Its practical applicability is demonstrated through a real-world case study in radiographic non-destructive testing.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 44-53 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.136
Ideating Ethical AI Business Models

Ideating Ethical AI Business Models

A dual card approach for the ethical development of AI business models
Marie-Christin Barton ORCID Icon, Lisa Skrzyppek, Kathrin Nauth ORCID Icon, Jens Pöppelbuß ORCID Icon, Jürgen Mazarov
AI opens up entirely new forms of value creation, but most business model tools have not kept pace. They overlook both the strategic potential that AI holds and the ethical challenges that it introduces. This study introduces a dual-card toolkit that helps interdisciplinary teams design AI-enabled business models with built-in ethical reflection. The key insight: to harness AI responsibly, we must rethink how we innovate, starting from the business model itself.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 42 | Edition 1 | Pages 40-49 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.26.1.38
Potentials, Premises, Perspectives

Potentials, Premises, Perspectives

Using LLMs to reinterpret corporate knowledge management
Vanessa Kuks ORCID Icon, Pius Finkel ORCID Icon, Peter Wurster ORCID Icon
Demographic change is exacerbating the shortage of labor and skilled workers in the manufacturing industry, making knowledge management an increasingly important issue in many companies. Collecting and preserving tacit knowledge poses a particular challenge. This study examines the extent to which large language models (LLMs) can provide meaningful support in knowledge gathering through expert interviews. Three experts test and evaluate a personalized chatbot that has been developed using ChatGPT-5. The results of the interview are promising, but the summary shows room for improvement.
Industry 4.0 Science | Volume 41 | Edition 6 | Pages 48-56 | DOI 10.30844/I4SE.25.6.48
Explainable AI – XAI

Explainable AI – XAI

Making AI work in business and not just clever sounding
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European companies are investing heavily in AI. But many AI projects remain stuck in the pilot phase. The fault does not lie with the systems, but no one can explain their results. “The algorithm said so” is not a basis for costly decisions. Backwell Tech’s AI is both smart and transparent. This is how AI can give you a competitive advantage.
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