Making sense of our connected world
Navigating platform power: from European elections to the regulatory future
Looking back at the European elections in June 2024, this blog post takes stock of the Digital Services Act’s effect in terms of navigating platform power.
AI Under Supervision: Do We Need ‘Humans in the Loop’ in Automation Processes?
Automated decisions have advantages but are not always flawless. Some suggest a Human in the Loop as a solution. But does it guarantee better outcomes?
The plurality of digital B2B platforms
This blog post dives into the diversity of digital business-to-business platforms, categorising them by governance styles and strategic aims.
Platform governance
Platform Governance refers to the rules, regulations, and framework within which digital platforms in our society are managed. This includes social networks, online services, digital marketplaces, or messaging services, for example. These digital platform ecosystems facilitate the exchange of information, goods, and services in our daily lives. As an integral part of our modern communication, they also have a profound impact on public discourse and economic processes. In our research on sustainable platform governance, we therefore examine how entrepreneurial goals, individual rights, and societal values can be harmonised in these online communication spaces. This includes questions related to online platform regulation, competition law, freedom of speech, individual autonomy, and (democratically anchored) decision-making.
Debunking Science Myths: Preconceptions about science put to the test
What is really true about preconceptions about science? Four popular myths about a constantly quarrelling group of professionals explained simply.
No Smartphone = Cringe Weirdo
In this blog post, author Jascha Bareis shares his experiences since getting his first smartphone just this year.
European elections and digital policy: German party positions
To what extent are German parties addressing digital policy in the European elections? A glance at the election programmes reveals different priorities.
Integrating gender and inclusivity in digital cultural policies: insights from Berlin and Barcelona
Could Berlin and Barcelona’s integrative approach to digitalisation serve as a blueprint for a new European cultural policy in the digital age?
One small part of many – AI for environmental protection
What role does AI play in applications for environmental protection? This blog post takes a look at six German projects that use AI for this purpose.
Navigating the Urban Maze: GIS technology and the blurring boundaries between digital and physical infrastructure
The progression of GIS technology and Geodata questions if digital maps should be regarded as physical public infrastructure.
Making Sense of the Future: New brainteasers for digital futures in the classroom
Explore “Making Sense of the Future”, an open educational resource combining futures studies and creative exploration to reimagine our digital futures.
Honey, we need to talk about the future
Can futures studies challenge the status quo beyond academia and approach public dialogue as an imaginative space for collective endeavours?
Exploring digitalisation: Indigenous perspectives from Puno, Peru
What are the indigenous perspectives of digitalisation? Quechuas in Peru show openness, challenges, and requirements to grow their digital economies.
Diamond OA: For a colourful digital publishing landscape
The blog post raises awareness of new financial pitfalls in the Open Access transformation and proposes a collaborative funding structure for Diamond OA in Germany.
Disinformation: Are we really overestimating ourselves?
How aware are we of the effects and the reach of disinformation online and does the public discourse provide a balanced picture?
Skills to ‘race with the machines’: The value of complementarity
As workers are constantly urged to reskill, how can they determine which skills to invest in? Learnings from one of the world’s largest online freelancing platforms.
More Power to the People: How Platform Councils Can Make Online Communication More Democratic
Companies dominate digital spaces, impacting public debate. Could Platform Councils make online communication more democratic?
How Russian online platforms compete with global giants
The Russian versions of Amazon, Facebook and co. are just as successful as their US competitiveness. How did they emerge and develop?
How does the data institute become public-interest orientated?
The first German data institute is intended to coordinate the data ecosystem, network across sector boundaries, and enable innovations. (How) Can this be carried out in the public interest?
People Analytics: Hype, Fear and Real Opportunities
A lot of data is collected about employees. Current studies show: People analytics has risks, but also real potential for human resources.
EU AI Act – Who fills the act with life?
EU AI Act: Tomorrow’s AI will be decided by authorities and companies in a complicated structure of competences.
Participation with Impact: Insights into the processes of Common Voice
What makes the Common Voice project special and what can others learn from it? An inspiring example that shows what effective participation can look like.
