Alexander Fichtl
M. Sc. (he/him)
Room: FMI 01.05.055
E-Mail: alexander.fichtl(AT)tum.de
Phone: -
Address: TUM - Fakultät für Informatik, Boltzmannstr. 3, 85748 Garching
Research interest
My research focuses on Large Language Models (LLMs) and their role in the advancement of artificial intelligence as a whole. Apart from LLM modification and application, this includes the discussion of emergent properties of LLMs in the context of the philosophy of mind and how models display creativity (and how to measure it). I also have some ongiong projects within the field of AI-driven peer review and biomedical NLP. My research aims to make a contribution to the safe, ethical, and responsible use of LLMs.
Current research topics include:
- Emergent Properties of LLMs
- Benchmarking Creativity of Generative LLMs
- AI-Driven Peer Review Systems
- Philosophical Implications of LLMs
Teaching
Each semester, in collaboration with some of my colleagues, we offer advanced master-level practical courses for students motivated to get hands-on experience in XAI, NLP, and ML. In this courses you will team up with other participants and work on a concrete project that utilized or even tries to improve the current state of the art in the field. The projects last for the whole semester and each one will be under close supervision by either me or one of my colleagues. Groups supervised by me will meet on a (bi-)weekly basis to discuss the current state and the next steps. At the end of the semester, you will be presenting your findings and results as well as delivering your code and a brief "paper-like" report.
Each Semester:
Master Lab Course - Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing Applications (IN2016, IN4249)
(10 ECTS) see on TUMOnline
If you're interested, it is always a good idea to contact the advisor/manager of your study program. Ask them if the courses are recognized for your master degree.
Thesis, Guided Research & HiWi Offerings
- HiWi Position I will have an open HiWi position starting the first of May, 2026. You will be working with LLMs in the context of AI-driven Peer Review and contribute to experiments and publishing our results at a conference. Perfect for gathering experience in NLP and maybe having an early publication for your CV ;)
- Master Thesis or Guided Research: If you are interested in writing a thesis touching the subject of creativity in LLMs, chaotic neural networks for language modeling, or emergence theory applied to NLP, please send me a thesis proposal including specific research questions that we can then discuss.