2025 IEEE Conference on Cognitive and Computational Aspects
of Situation Management (CogSIMA)

June 2-5, 2025 | Duisburg, Germany

Photo: Ilja Höpping, Stadt Duisburg

Keynotes

How to build a theory of the artificial mind - Improving interactions of Humans with AI

Time: tbd

Prof. Nicole Krämer
Chair of Social Psychology: Media and Communication, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
Research Center 'Trustworthy Data Science and Security', University Alliance Ruhr, Germany
Abstract: In human-human communication, theory of mind (or perspective taking, mentalizing) describes the ability to reconstruct the mental processes, beliefs, emotions and attitudes of other people.
While this is incredibly helpful to develop joint goals and a joint understanding with fellow humans, this must necessarily fail when trying to understand the "minds" of machines as the semantics of machine "intelligence" is different from human intelligence - even with approaches like neural networking which tries to emulate biological intelligence.
Still human users will be tempted to apply procedures and techniques of human-human interaction to automated systems since a) these increasingly execute tasks that are similar to human functioning (deciding, advising, recommending, guiding) and b) humans have been shown to have difficulties in trying to build a theory of the artificial mind. The talk will discuss which mental models humans have about machines and how humans can be enabled to build more accurate "theories of the artificial mind".
Prof. Nicole Krämer Bio: Nicole Krämer is Full Professor of Social Psychology, Media and Communication at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, and co-speaker of the Research Center "Trustworthy Data Science and Security". She completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of Cologne in 2001.Dr. Krämer's research focuses on human-technology interaction and computer-mediated communication.She investigates processes of information selection, opinion building, and relationship maintenance in social media.She served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Media Psychology and currently is Associate Editor of the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication.


An Integrated Approach for More Efficiency in Maritime Investigations

Time: tbd

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Hahn
Director of the DLR Institute 'Systems Engineering for Future Mobility', Oldenburg, Germany
Abstract: As maritime traffic increases, so does the risk of undesirable incidents. These incidents include violations of national and international maritime law, such as water pollution, as well as criminal offenses like drug, weapons, and human smuggling. Additionally, accidents may occur-for instance, cargo falling overboard from a distressed vessel, creating a collision hazard for other ships.
Such incidents must be addressed swiftly by the responsible security and investigative authorities to ensure accountability, promote deterrence, and minimize consequential damage. However, timely resolution is often difficult. Suspects may leave the jurisdiction, critical evidence may be lost, and the extent of damage can grow rapidly.
To support faster and more effective investigations, a system has been developed to address the three primary causes of delays. Utilizing a shared operational picture, the system integrates essential investigative processes and automates information flow across all steps. It formalizes investigative procedures by representing them as structured workflows. This solution is referred to as the Smart Profiling Engine (SPE).
Prior to development, the working methods and conditions of relevant authorities were analyzed through interviews. The analysis revealed common barriers and cognitive challenges that impede progress in maritime investigations. Three key issues were identified: insufficient integration of systems, lack of automation, and the absence of standardized procedures. The lack of integration is particularly evident when certain investigative steps depend on external data sources to complete the overall task.
Prof. Nicole Krämer Bio: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Hahn has held a professorship at the University of Oldenburg since 2002. From 2016 to 2021, he served as a member of the board of the Oldenburg computer science institute OFFIS. In 2022, he was jointly appointed as the Director of the DLR Institute of Systems Engineering for Future Mobility by the German Aerospace Center and the University of Oldenburg.
Dr. Hahn has been a member of the advisory board of the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany for eight years. He is a founding member and Secretary General of the Maritime Connectivity Platform Consortium, and serves as the working group leader for digital systems at IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities). Dr. Hahn regularly represents IALA at the IMO (International Maritime Organization). Additionally, he is the Technical Chair for maritime automation at IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control). Dr. Hahn is also an active member of the Platform for Learning Systems in the Mobility Working Group.


The Human Engineer's Toolbox

Time: tbd

Prof. Niels Taatgen
Director of the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
University of Groningen, Netherlands

Abstract: In human-computer interaction, principles from psychology are used to provide guidelines for design. However, these guidelines often remain very general. Cognitive models, which are detailed simulations of human performance, can help to provide more specific and quantitative constraints.
A first example of a successful modeling paradigm is threaded cognition, and theory of human multitasking that can make precise predictions about performance on multiple tasks given performance on single tasks.
A second example is cognitive skill theory, which can explain how people are able to perform new tasks by composing skills they have already mastered in a different context. I will discuss how this can be applied in education.

Prof. Niels Taatgen Bio: Niels Taatgen is the research director of the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Groningen (UoG) in the Netherlands. He has degrees in both computer science and psychology and was one of the founders of the interdisciplinary bachelor's and master's degrees in artificial intelligence (AI) at UoG.
In his research, he investigates human multitasking, transfer learning, machine learning, neuromorphic computing and the application of AI in education. He has been the recipient of a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant and has been Teacher of the Year at the UoG.



News

Registration is now OPEN.
Please register here!

Apr 18: Tentative program announced.
Mar 24: We are please to announce that Prof. Nicole Krämer (University of Duisburg-Essen, DE) will present a keynote address.
Mar 10: Prof. Hasan Ayaz (Drexel Univ., USA) will give a tutorial on Neuroergonomics for Situation Awareness.
Mar 7: Mike Kozak (Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories, USA) will give a tutorial on Detecting Generated and Manipulated Media Using Semantic Forensics.
Mar 6: Prof. Galina Rogova (Univ. of Buffalo, USA) will instruct a tutorial on Decision Making under Risk.
Mar 4: Prof. Antonio Lieto (Univ. of Salerno, IT) will present a tutorial on Cognitive Systems Design
Dec 13: CogSIMA 2025 group rates for accommodation announced.
Dec 11: In response to numerous requests, we grant a final paper submission extension to Dec. 20.
Dec 9: Registration fees have been posted.
Nov 27: We are delighted to share that Prof. Niels Taatgen (Univ. of Groningen, NL) will present a keynote address on The Human Engineer's Toolbox.
Nov 8: We are excited to announce that Prof. Niels Taatgen (Univ. of Groningen, NL) and Prof. Nicole Krämer (Univ. of Duisburg-Essen, DE) will present keynote addresses.
Aug 6: We are deeply saddened by the passing of our CogSIMA 2024 General
Co-Chair Dr. Melita Hadzagic
.

 

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