Axis 1: Understanding – from limited understanding to in-depth understanding

This axis describes the extent to which professionals possess an in-depth understanding of the subject area and processes within their professional context.

At one end of the scale is limited understanding, where AI output is accepted without sufficient understanding of the underlying logic, processes or professional implications. Professionals can use or apply the output, but have only limited conceptual insight to critically reconstruct, explain or correct that output when problems arise.

At the other end of the spectrum lies in-depth understanding, whereby professionals can interpret, reconstruct, assess and correct AI output in terms of content, drawing on strong domain knowledge and professional process insight. In this context, in-depth understanding does not refer to a single specific form of expertise, but takes on a domain-specific meaning depending on the professional context. In creative contexts, for example, this may involve the attribution of meaning, conceptual coherence and contextual positioning, whilst in technical contexts it revolves more strongly around system understanding, architectural logic and fault analysis. Across both domains, in-depth understanding always refers to the ability to critically situate AI output within the professional context and to intervene in a targeted manner when output falls short or proves problematic. Here, AI is not merely used to produce output more quickly, but is integrated within a broader substantive understanding of the work process and the professional context.

Both sessions emphasise that limited understanding is insufficient to enable professionals to operate independently, critically and responsibly within AI-integrated work processes. At the same time, participants recognise that AI systems are becoming increasingly accessible and rapidly generate convincing output, which may make professionals more inclined to use AI in tasks or contexts where there is insufficient understanding of the domain or process.