The human-centered systems lab (h-lab) headed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Maedche at the Institute for Information Systems (WIN) focuses in research, education, and innovation on designing human-centered systems for better work and life.  

Our mission is to create impactful knowledge to design human-centered systems for productivity and well-being through relevant and rigor scientific research. We build on (generative) artificial intelligence (AI) and biosignal sensor technologies in our research and follow a human-centered design process. We pursue a socio-technical research paradigm and combine empirical and design science research.

We contribute to the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI) (Mensch-Computer Interaktion) and information systems (IS) (Wirtschaftsinformatik). We believe that delivering cutting-edge knowledge and inspiring education, as well as an ongoing dialog with the public need to go hand in hand to maximize the impact of our work in organizations and society.

News

Participation at ASSETS 2025 Conference
Participation at ASSETS 2025 Conference

We’re excited to present our work titled “A Semi-Automated Prototyping Assistant for Accessibility: Addressing Missing Form Labels and Document Language in Early Design Stages” at the 27th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility 2025 in Denver.  The ASSETS conference is the premier forum for presenting research on the design, evaluation, use, and education related to computing for people with disabilities and older adults.

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Handover of 5 Information Systems Scholarships funded by Schwarz IT and SAP SE
Handover of 5 Information Systems Scholarships funded by Schwarz IT and SAP SE

For the 2025/26 period, five information systems (IS) scholarships were awarded  by the non-profit association "Die Wirtschaftsinformatik e.V." at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) supporting students of  the Information Systems program. The IS students Valerie Lorei, Nicki Fiona Rother and Jérôme Gibhardt received their IS scholarship funded Schwarz IT. The IS students Mara Layer and Steven Rogulsky were funded by SAP SE. 

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New Publication in IJHCS: Storypoint - GenAI-supported domain-specific data story authoring for enterprises
New Publication in IJHCS: Storypoint - GenAI-supported domain-specific data story authoring for enterprises

The International Journal of Human-Computer Studies has published the paper "StoryPoint: GenAI-supported domain-specific data story authoring for enterprises". The paper is co-authored by Jonas Gunklach, Elias Mueller, Merlin Knaeble, and Alexander Maedche from the human-centered systems lab (h-lab). 

 

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Job Opportunity: Doctoral Student Position “Human-Centered AI-based Information Systems in Organizations” in cooperation with UIG e.V.
Job Opportunity: Doctoral Student Position “Human-Centered AI-based Information Systems in Organizations” in cooperation with UIG e.V.

The position offered at the human-centered systems lab (https://h-lab.win.kit.edu/) of the Institute of Information Systems (WIN) (https://www.win.kit.edu/) is embedded in the third-party funded research project "MenschKI!" (https://menschki.org/). In close collaboration with partner companies and the non-profit association UIG e.V. (https://nutzerfreundlich.digital/), the project aims to design and pilot new approaches for personalized learning and the continuous adaptation of generative AI-based information systems to increase employee productivity and well-being. In addition, scalable transfer concepts for transfer to other companies will be developed.

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1st SAP-KIT Research and Innovation Symposium "Human-centered AI for Sustainable Business" at KD2Lab
1st SAP-KIT Research and Innovation Symposium "Human-centered AI for Sustainable Business" at KD2Lab

Human-centered AI meets Sustainability! On November 5th, 2025 experts from SAP and KIT will share insights on how AI for enterprise systems should be designed to support sustainable business transformation following a human-centered design approach.

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Welcome Simon Rapp
Welcome Simon Rapp

We welcome Simon Rapp as a new team member and doctoral researcher at the human-centered systems lab (h-lab) of Prof. Mädche at the KIT Institute for Information Systems (WIN).Simon holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems with a specialization in Systems Engineering, both from KIT.

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Successful Heat Companion Feasibility Study in Karlsruhe: BNN Article
Successful Heat Companion Feasibility Study in Karlsruhe: BNN Article

We were pleased about the article in the Badische Neueste Nachrichten (BNN) reporting insights from the feasibility study of the heat companion research project conducted by Niklas Heyden of the Institute for Information Systems (WIN), human-centered systems lab. The heat companion research project provides citizens with a portable environmental sensor and a companion smartphone app to record micro-climate data (temperature, humidity, air quality) in their daily routines.

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Elective Lecture Offerings in Winter Semester 25/26
Elective Lecture Offerings in Winter Semester 25/26

In the upcoming winter semester, the human-centered systems lab will offer one B.Sc. and two M.Sc. electives lectures. The B.Sc. Lecture “Enterprise Systems for Financial Accounting & Controlling (EFA)” will be offered by Dr. Christian Fleig (Lidl) and introduce foundations enterprise system concepts using the example of SAP S/4HANA.

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Awards@WI 2025
Awards@WI 2025

The KIT had a very successful award session at “Internationale Tagung Wirtschaftsinformatik 2025” (#WI25) - demonstrating our academic quality and adding to KIT’s reputation within the community. Two out of the three best papers were contributed by KIT teams:

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UIG Conference 2025 - Shaping health and well-being in a digital world
UIG Conference 2025 - Shaping health and well-being in a digital world

Digital products and services are no longer simply tools,but are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday life and our working environment. This central role also brings with it a responsibility to design digital products and services in such a way that they do not negatively impact health and well-being of their users. At the same time, digital products and services are playing an increasingly important role in the healthcare sector – be it through the ePA (electronic patient record), which enables the exchange of medical data, through mental health bots, or through wearables and fitness apps.

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Talk by Pierre-Majorique Leger, HEC Montreal: “Rethinking UX in Human-Centered AI: Designing for Reflective Decision-Making”
Talk by Pierre-Majorique Leger, HEC Montreal: “Rethinking UX in Human-Centered AI: Designing for Reflective Decision-Making”

As part of our speaker series "Decision & Design", Prof. Pierre-Majorique Léger from HEC Montreal gave a talk at the KD2Lab on September 12, 2025. As AI becomes deeply embedded in daily life, it enhances efficiency but also risks encouraging uncritical reliance on its recommendations, especially when user interfaces prioritize automation and simplicity. Drawing on a series of NeuroIS experiments, he argued in his talk for a shift from “Don’t make me think” to “Make me think,” highlighting the need for user interface designs that foster critical engagement and responsible AI use.

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Honorable Mention Award Mensch und Computer 2025
Honorable Mention Award Mensch und Computer 2025

We are delighted to receive the Honorable Mention Award at the Mensch und Computer (MuC) 2025 conference in Chemnitz for our demo paper "Worldhat: A Humanoid Social Robot Interpreter for Multilingual Dyadic Conversations", a joint work by Sandra Müller, Martin Feick and Alexander Maedche from the human-centered systems lab (h-lab) of the Institute for Information Systems (WIN).

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