Why I do Research: Magnus Liebherr
How the Brain Responds to AI
- von Juliana Fischer
- 25.02.2025
What happens in our brains when we interact with ChatGPT or collaborate with a robot? This is the focus of Dr Magnus Liebherr’s research. As a research group leader, he connects two worlds: psychology and engineering.
People interact with machines and artificial intelligence every day. How does this affect our brains?
The digital world confronts us with an ever-increasing flood of information. At the same time, the mental challenges we face continue to grow. However, our brain is a master of adaptation. It constantly restructures itself and develops new cognitive strategies to keep up with this complexity.
Has our brain changed since the Stone Age?
Physically, hardly at all, but cognitively, enormously. Our cognitive processes have adapted to new environmental conditions. Constant interaction with technology has altered our attention: we switch between tasks more frequently, making focused work more difficult. At the same time, we increasingly outsource memory processes to digital tools, which influences how we process information.
How should technologies be designed to optimally support us? And how can we prepare ourselves for this?
Technology should adapt to humans, not the other way around. Intelligent information presentation that takes individual needs into account is essential. At the same time, it is crucial that people understand how AI works so they can use it competently and critically. To counteract negative cognitive effects, targeted training methods—such as those designed to strengthen working memory—can help. This approach has also proven effective in cognitive disorders such as ADHD.
What has been the most surprising or exciting research finding of your career?
In an EEG study, we discovered that additional motor tasks can actually facilitate cognitive task performance. This insight is particularly relevant for monitoring-based professions, which are becoming increasingly important in the age of automation. A good example is ship control systems, where an operator remotely monitors multiple vessels and intervenes only in emergencies. Our research shows that individuals who are additionally engaged—whether through simple motor or cognitive tasks—can demonstrably focus better on their primary task.
What motivated you to pursue a career in science?
For me, science is more than just a profession—it is a passion. I love gaining new insights, working on innovative solutions, and exchanging ideas with other enthusiastic researchers. Science allows me to work across disciplines and cultures, shaping progress free from economic constraints.
Recently, the DigiTank project was launched to advance the digitalisation of tank storage facilities, under the leadership of Dr Magnus Liebherr. Find out more about the project here: https://www.uni-due.de/2025-01-16-projekt-zur-digitalisierung-von-tanklagern
More Information:
Dr. Magnus Liebherr, Fakultät für Ingenieurwissenschaften, Fachgebiet Mechatronik, Tel. +49 203/37 9-3951, magnus.liebherr@uni-due.de