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Impetus for the digital society

NEWS FROM THE INSTITUTE

Press

Public Interest AI

On reset.org, researcher Theresa Züger explains why artificial intelligence requires a new approach to technology for the benefit of society as a whole.

Press

Legal advice from AI: opportunity or risk?

Researcher Matthias C. Kettemann talks to ZDF about the question of whether AI language models are also suitable for answering legal questions. (In German)

Press

It’s just maths!

For the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), HIIG researcher Theresa Züger categorises the current social debate on AI.

Publication

Resisting digital change at universities

A new open access paper by HIIG and CATALPA explores why digital transformation in universities meets resistance and calls for organisational strategies.

Video

HIIG at re:publica 2025

Insights on disinformation, democracy and public-interest AI: The talks and panels by our researchers at re:publica are now available to stream.

technical article

Generative AI in market research

Georg von Richthofen and Hendrik Send write about new possibilities and technical, ethical and organisational challenges. (In German)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • July 07
    Dealing with hostility in science communication
    All Day | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • July 22
    XIXth Interdisciplinary Workshop “Privacy, Data Protection & Surveillance”
    12:00 - 18:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • October 09
    Risik narratives in the field of privacy, surveillance, and data protection
    All Day | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |

    • RESEARCH ISSUES IN FOCUS

    Platform governance

    In our research on platform governance, we investigate how corporate goals and social values can be balanced on online platforms.
    Du siehst eine Tastatur auf der eine Taste rot gefärbt ist und auf der „Control“ steht. Eine bildliche Metapher für die Regulierung von digitalen Plattformen im Internet und Data Governance. You see a keyboard on which one key is coloured red and says "Control". A figurative metaphor for the regulation of digital platforms on the internet and data governance.

    Data governance

    We develop robust data governance frameworks and models to provide practical solutions for good data governance policies.
    Du siehst Eisenbahnschienen. Die vielen verschiedenen Abzweigungen symbolisieren die Entscheidungsmöglichkeiten von Künstlicher Intelligenz in der Gesellschaft. Manche gehen nach oben, unten, rechts. Manche enden auch in Sackgassen. Englisch: You see railway tracks. The many different branches symbolise the decision-making possibilities of artificial intelligence and society. Some go up, down, to the right. Some also end in dead ends.

    Artificial intelligence and society

    The future of artificial Intelligence and society operates in diverse societal contexts. What can we learn from its political, social and cultural facets?

    Digitalisation and sustainability

    In terms of sustainability, digitalisation faces countless opportunities and challenges. We explore how technology is used responsibly.
    Du siehst eine Bibliothek mit einer runden Treppe die sich in die höhe schraubt. Sie steht sinnbildlich für die sich stetig weiterentwickelnden digitalen Infrastrukturen unserer Wissensgesellschaft. You see a library with a round staircase that spirals upwards. It symbolises the constantly evolving digital infrastructures of our knowledge society.

    Open higher education

    We explore the use of open higher education & edtech to create, share and disseminate knowledge for all in our knowledge society.
    Man sieht einen leeren Büroraum ohne Möbel und braunen Teppichboden. Das Bild steht sinnbildlich für die Frage, wie die Arbeit der Zukunft und digitales Organisieren und Zukunft unseren Arbeitsplatz beeinflusst. You see an empty office room without furniture and brown carpeting. The image is emblematic of the question of how the work of the future and digital organising and the future will influence our workplace.

    Digital future of the workplace

    How will AI and digitalisation change the future of the workplace? We assess their impact, and the opportunities and risks for the future of work.

    Experts for Media

    HIIG Expertise – Startseite - Micro - single

    Here you will find our experts on current press topics relating to the Internet and digitalisation.

    AI Compass

    KI Kompass Startseite

    Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI). But what is all the hype? Find out with this card game.

    SIMBA

    Simba Startseite

    Our new AI prototype helps people to understand German texts and summarise them in simplified language.

    DIGITAL SOCIETY BLOG

    Further articles

    An older woman in a wheelchair sitting alone. This reflects the urgent need to combat loneliness through digital tools and community-based, inclusive care facilities.

    Opportunities to combat loneliness: How care facilities are connecting neighborhoods

    Can digital tools help combat loneliness in old age? Care facilities are rethinking their role as inclusive, connected places in the community.

    Annika Uhlich, Thomas Schildhauer on 5 June 2025
    Antique stone statue of a woman holding a mask, symbolising the stolen identities and loss of consent in deepfake pornography."** Let me know if you'd like it adjusted for a specific platform or audience.

    Unwillingly naked: How deepfake pornography intensifies sexualised violence against women

    Deepfake pornography uses AI to create fake nude images without consent, primarily targeting women. Learn how it amplifies inequality and what must change.

    Katharina Mosene on 2 June 2025
    Abstract paper cut-out on a wall symbolising the complexity and interconnection of global initiatives, representing efforts in mapping the landscape of public interest AI as explored in the article.

    Artificial intelligence with purpose: Mapping the landscape of public interest AI

    How is AI being used for the common good? A new dataset is mapping the landscape of public interest AI by cataloguing impactful projects worldwide.

    Birte Lübbert, Theresa Züger on 19 May 2025