Prof. Dr. Christian Katzenbach participates at the conference “Code & Codex – AI and Ethics in Military Combat” that takes place at Helmut-Schmidt-Universität/ Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg on 19th and 20th of March 2026. It is organised by Dr. Sylvia Kühne and Dr. Benedikt Bussmann of the AI Ethics Research Hub.
AI is transforming military combat operations as new applications are emerging and creating an urgent need for action within the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) in the field of risk prevention. Nevertheless, questions around responsibility, accountability and training within the tension between military functionality and ethical awareness arise.
The conference brings together researchers and representatives from the German Armed Forces for an interdisciplinary dialogue on current developments, challenges, and ethical issues surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in security and defense contexts. The aim is to bring together diverse perspectives, consolidate foundational knowledge, and create opportunities for in-depth professional exchange.
Prof. Christian Katzenbach is part of the panel discussion “Dialogue Between the Bundeswehr and the Academic Community. Mutual Expectations”, chaired by Prof. Gerhard Schreiber, and will discuss the mutual expectations of the military and academia with Prof. Petra Gehring (Technische Universität Darmstadt), GM Klaus Frauenhoff (Amt für Heeresentwicklung), Prof. Jutta Weber (Universität Paderborn), FTLA Dirk Gärtner (Marinekommando) and MDg Alexander Schott (Innovation and Cyber, Chief AI Officer Bw).
Find the full program here: https://www.hsu-hh.de/theevs/wp-content/uploads/sites/736/2026/03/HSU_Code_und_Kodex_Programm.pdf