Artificial Intelligence – Rethinking what thinking is
Freiburg, 05/11/2025
For philosopher Tobias Rees, AI represents a seismic shift for Europe’s philosophical project. However, this disruption also presents an opportunity to rethink thinking, according to a central thesis of his lecture at the University of Freiburg. Rector Kerstin Krieglstein sees this as a mandate for the university to help shape this disruption.
Technological advances in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) mark a turning point for modern societies. AI has an impact on the world of work and on how we produce and consume knowledge. For philosopher Prof. Dr Tobias Rees, who now works outside academic structures after having held positions at renowned universities, AI not only provincialises Europe economically and geopolitically, but also shakes the philosophical foundations of Europe. The philosopher placed this finding at the centre of his lecture “Artificial Intelligence and the 2500-year-old project called Europe” on October 28 at the University of Freiburg.
Europa’s Chance, giving meaning to the AI phenomenon
AI, according to the central thesis of the lecture, escapes the logical architecture of human thinking and thus opens up a completely new space for thought. AI is not a tool in the classical sense, but a ‘latent space’ with millions of dimensions in which tokenised data points are related to each other.
The infrastructural requirements for the further development of AI are enormous: data centres, chip factories, cheap energy and highly qualified talent. According to the diagnosis, Europe has insufficient resources in all these areas. Investment efforts are marginal compared to the approximately 500 billion US dollars that US technology companies have announced for 2026 alone.
At the same time, however, Europe is uniquely positioned to understand the AI phenomenon. While Silicon Valley and other technological pioneers such as Abu Dhabi are only concerned with the functionality and economic success of AI, Europe has a deeply rooted tradition of reflecting on meaning.
“If AI is meaningless per se, then Europe must create the spaces in which meaning is created.”
Prof. Dr. Tobias Rees
Philosopher
For a long time, it was assumed that the human mind was unique through logic, creativity, through thinking itself. But this distinction between humans and machines is beginning to dissolve. However, AI is ultimately meaningless. And that, according to Rees, is precisely where Europe’s opportunity lies: ‘If AI is meaningless per se,’ he argues, ‘then Europe must create the spaces in which meaning is created.’
This requires a new infrastructure of thinking in Europe and a willingness to dissolve the old boundaries between the humanities and engineering, as well as the boundaries between science and art. AI opens up new spaces, but it remains the task of humans to fill them in interaction with AI.
Helping to shape social change through AI as a university
Universities are also challenged by this disruption, according to Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein in her welcoming address, emphasising the University of Freiburg’s self-image of helping to shape this disruption and offering society guidance with scientific expertise. “We must prove our ability to renew ourselves – not in the protected space of the disciplines, but in open cooperation with society, politics, business and culture.” Tobias Rees’ research, which combines technical and philosophical aspects of AI, is both an inspiration and a confirmation of the conviction that underpins the overall strategy of the University of Freiburg: “We must have the courage to reflect beyond disciplinary boundaries. Only in this way can we as a university not only respond to the future, but also help shape it.”
“We must have the courage to reflect beyond disciplinary boundaries. Only in this way can we as a university not only respond to the future, but also help shape it.”
Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein
Rector
Video recording of the event
About Tobias Rees
Rees was a professor at renowned universities in Switzerland, Canada and the US. Today, he works outside academic structures to develop new forms of philosophical research. With limn, an AI studio at the interface of philosophy, art and technology, he describes himself as a “philosopher in the wild.”
The event at the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies was made possible by the support of the Mertelsmann Foundation and the New University Foundation Freiburg.