SmartBugs Freiburg launches: students research insect diversity with AI

The SmartBugs Freiburg – Young Researchers for Biodiversity with AI project is entering its practical phase with a major kick-off workshop at UWC Robert Bosch College. Around 45 students from five Freiburg schools are working with researchers to set up the AI-based “Insect Detect” system for the first time and prepare for its use in the city.

The open-source system combines a camera and artificial intelligence to automatically recognize and identify insects. The devices are assembled by the participants themselves under supervision and then installed at school locations such as school gardens. There, they continuously record data on local insect diversity, which is collected centrally and made freely accessible for research and teaching purposes.

The aim of the project is to establish a network to study biodiversity in Freiburg and at the same time to get young people interested in science and future technologies. The young people work closely with researchers – for example from the University of Freiburg -, learn about scientific methods and make an active contribution to ecological research. In the process, they acquire important skills in dealing with AI, data analysis and independent work.

The data obtained opens up a wide range of possibilities: They allow insights into biodiversity, seasonal patterns and ecological changes in urban areas and can be used to further develop AI models. Researchers, students and interested parties are invited to work on the open data set with their own questions.

The project is a cooperation between Ökostation Freiburg and UWC Robert Bosch College and is funded by the City of Freiburg as part of the Freiburg Research Spaces. The participating schools for 2026 have already been determined; however, interested schools can register for future project phases.

Further information and contact for those interested in research:
forschung@smartbugs-freiburg.de