German UDS Appoints Three New Professors to Strengthen Digital Science and Innovation Leadership

The German University of Digital Science (German UDS) is expanding its academic leadership with the appointment of three distinguished professors whose expertise spans human-centered AI, resource‑efficient machine learning, and high‑level science and technology policy.

The newly appointed professors - Profs. Drs. Sinem Aslan, Michael Bruno Klein, and Haojin Yang - will play a central role in strengthening German UDS’s mission to shape a responsible, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected digital future.

Prof. Dr. Michael Bruno Klein Strengthens the Bridge Between Science, Technology & Public Policy

German UDS is proud to welcome Prof. Dr. Michael Bruno Klein, one of Germany’s most accomplished science and technology leaders, known especially for his many years as General Secretary of acatech – the German National Academy of Science and Engineering.

During his tenure at acatech, Prof. Klein shaped national innovation strategies, guided high-level advisory processes for government and industry, and significantly contributed to Germany’s innovation dialogue and technology foresight. His earlier career includes senior leadership roles with the Leibniz Association, as well as heading governmental and political affairs at Robert Bosch GmbH, further expanding his influence across the intersections of research, business, and policy.

At German UDS, Prof. Klein will focus on:

• Innovation governance and national science ecosystems
• Strategic technology development and advisory processes
• The interface between public policy, education, and industry
• Future-proof frameworks for digital transformation

His appointment strengthens German UDS’s ambition to foster responsible, society-oriented digital transformation.

Dr. Sinem Aslan Appointed Professor of Human-AI Collaboration

With deep expertise at the forefront of human-centered AI and immersive learning systems, Dr. Sinem Aslan joins German UDS as the new Professor for Human-AI Collaboration.

Dr. Aslan brings more than a decade of experience as a Senior AIUX Researcher at Intel Labs, where she has shaped global research in trustworthy AI, multimodal interaction, and user-centered XR design. Her academic profile includes a Ph.D. from Indiana University, award‑winning research outputs, an extensive patent portfolio, and international collaborations with top-tier universities.

Her academic focus includes:

• Human–AI interaction and explainable AI
• Adaptive XR learning environments
• Multimodal interfaces (gesture, gaze, voice, haptics)
• Ethics, policy, and inclusion in emerging technologies

At German UDS, she plans to introduce hands‑on XR design studios, prototyping labs, and courses aligned with the EU AI Act to equip students with both technical and ethical competencies.

Prof. Dr. Haojin Yang Becomes Professor of Efficient and Adaptive AI Systems

German UDS also welcomes Prof. Dr. Haojin Yang, an internationally recognized AI researcher, as Professor of Efficient and Adaptive AI Systems.

Dr. Yang’s academic path spans TU Ilmenau, the Hasso‑Plattner‑Institut (HPI), and leading roles in global industry. After completing his doctorate summa cum laude at HPI, he became a senior researcher and group leader in Multimedia Analysis and Machine Learning, mentoring doctoral candidates, acquiring research funding, and driving high‑impact AI projects.

His experience includes:

• Founding the startup GreenBitAI, dedicated to energy‑efficient AI models
• Leading the Edge Computing Lab at Alibaba’s AI Labs in Beijing
• Over 60 peer‑reviewed publications and multiple Best Paper Awards
• Leadership in major federal projects, including the "Extreme Weather Events" KI lighthouse project
• Significant contributions to MOOCs on openHPI and the KI‑Campus

His research focuses on deep learning, generative neural networks, computational linguistics, visual analysis, and resource‑efficient AI architectures—fields crucial for the next era of sustainable digital transformation.

Strengthening German UDS’s Role in Digital Transformation

With these two new appointments, German UDS is taking another significant step toward becoming a leading European platform for digital education, lifelong learning, and innovation-driven research.

Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, President of German UDS, emphasized the strategic importance of the new faculty members:

“Both appointments reflect our commitment to shaping a responsible and impactful digital future. Prof. Klein brings unparalleled experience at the intersection of science, industry, and public policy, while Dr. Aslan represents the cutting edge of human-centered AI and XR innovation. Together, they will greatly enrich our academic development and our mission as a university for all generations.”