Each IK has a special focus theme, which is addressed by about 60 % of the material taught at an IK.
Focus Theme 2011: "Autonomy, Decisions and Free Will"
Every minute of every day we are faced with multiple decisions. Sometimes we are free to decide how we like, sometimes we have to take into account many different constraints, such as the available resources or other peoples’ opinions. The focus topic of the IK 2011 will thus be “Autonomy, Decisions and Free Will”. The idea is to provide an interdisciplinary view that takes into account and integrates multiple scientific perspectives, including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, neuroscience and neuroinformatics. Focus courses will address topics such as the philosophy and neuroscience free will, cognitive models of decision making, rationality and heuristics, intentional agents and BDI systems, interdisciplinary approaches to volition, intentions, control, self-regulation and task scheduling. There will also be special courses on technical and commercial applications, such as decision support systems and recognition of user-intentions for technical systems.