The interdisciplinary network AI meets Qualitative Methods (AIQM) was founded in summer 2025 by researchers from the University of Bremen and the Institut für Informationsmanagement Bremen GmbH (ifib). It brings together doctoral researchers and postdocs who are engaging with the use of AI in qualitative research. In regular meetings, participants discuss methodological, technical, and ethical questions, test new tools, and critically reflect on the meaningful use of AI across different stages of the research and writing process.
Since October, the Data Science Center (DSC) has been represented in the AIQM network by Nele Fuchs, contributing discipline speficif expertise as part of the BMFTR-funded data competence center DataNord. At the network meeting on 26 November, she provided an input on the ongoing and often controversial debate within the qualitative research community about the opportunities, limitations, and risks of using AI in research.
The network aims to jointly build competencies for the responsible use of AI, to learn from one another, and to develop a well-founded knowledge base. Insights from the network are intended to be shared with a wider research community – both within and beyond the University of Bremen – through open formats such as workshops, reading groups, and publications.
How the DSC contributes
The use of AI in qualitative research raises fundamental questions, including issues of methodological transparency, data protection, bias, scientific traceability, and resource consumption. At the same time, many researchers lack the technical and data-related expertise needed to use AI-based tools in a confident and reflective way.
This is where the DSC contributes a valuable, cross-cutting data science perspective to the AIQM network through the DataNord project. In her role as Data Scientist for the Digital Humanities, Nele Fuchs draws on extensive experience from research consultations, training formats, and collaboration with a wide range of research projects. At the same time, the DSC benefits directly from the exchange within the network: questions and challenges emerging from research practice feed straight back into the further development of advisory and qualification offerings. This creates a close feedback loop between qualitative research practice and data science support.
This role was also reflected in the Data Snack “Beyond ChatGPT: AI Systems for Qualitative Research” hosted by the DSC on 4 December 2025. In this session, Nele presented and critically discussed concrete AI-supported tools for qualitative research. The event also introduced the AIQM network to a broader research audience and helped to further strengthen connections across disciplines.
The AIQM network is open to anyone interested in qualitative research and AI. New members are very welcome and can express their interest in joining via this form (contact person: Veronika Graceva).
Additional Links:
ifib blog article on the network
If you have any questions, please contact:
Nele Fuchs
Data Scientist for Digital Humanities
Tel. +49 (421) 218 - 59853
E-mail: n.fuchs@uni-bremen.de
