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A breath of fresh air.

Our new research focuses are
available for exploration!

A breath of fresh air.

Our new research focuses
are available for exploration!

NEWS FROM THE INSTITUTE

New publication

A matter of context

Based on 145 interviews across four occupational fields, the whitepaper examines how generative AI is introduced and used at work, and offers design approaches.

Open Call

Founders, what has to change?

What’s slowing startups down in Germany? And how can it be fixed? We want to hear from founders where the friction is and what should be redesigned. We are collecting answers until 10 October.

Press

What Meta’s billion-euro settlement means for young people and parents

Matthias C. Kettemann analyses on web.de which changes to strengthen youth protection the tech giant has agreed to (in German).

Press

Independence through openness

In a guest article for Tagesspiegel Background, our researcher Judith Faßbender, together with Ben Burmeister, calls for open source to be used strategically by the state (in German).

Press

Social media: Is the power of tech giants a threat to democracy?

Our Research Director Jeanette Hofmann discusses the regulation of social networks with other experts on Deutschlandfunk (in German).

New project

Anonymised Collection and Use of Mobility and Movement Data

In this joint research project, the HIIG examines the extent to which anonymised mobility data still counts as personal data from a legal perspective.

Luftaufnahme leerer Cafétische und -stühle auf einem grauen Steinpflaster, einzeln eingefärbt in einem Verlauf von Türkis zu Grün. Aerial view of empty café tables and chairs on a grey stone-paved square, individually tinted in a gradient from teal to green.

Forum. Venturing Futures.

The new inter- and transdisciplinary space for action within our research focus on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Society! Here we develop new formats for dialogue and practice-oriented tools to connect entrepreneurial thinking with societal responsibility.

Explore the forum

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • September 18
    Workshop: Academic freedom under pressure
    9:00 - 15:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • September 24
    Webinar: Generative KI in Kommunikation und Marketing
    9:00 - 9:45 | Online |
  • September 29
    Spotlight: Generative KI in der Arbeitswelt
    13:00 - 14:00 | Online |

    • More to come soon.

    Explore our current issues
    while we reshape our research agenda…

    More to come soon.

    Explore our current issues
    while we reshape our research agenda…

    Featured Topics

    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.

    Data Governance Guide

    smart city_startseite

    Our new handbook provides guidance on the legally compliant and efficient use of data for administrations.

    DIGITAL SOCIETY BLOG

    Further articles

    The picture shows a man wiping a large glass window. This is used as a metaphor for questioning assumptions about disinformation and seeking clearer understanding.

    Debunking assumptions about disinformation: Rethinking what we think we know

    Exploring definitions, algorithmic amplification, and detection, this article challenges assumptions about disinformation and calls for stronger research evidence.

    Ann-Kathrin Watolla on 20 August 2025
    A close-up of a red pedestrian “stop” signal, symbolising public resistance and protest. The image evokes the growing global pushback against artificial intelligence systems and the demand to pause, question, and regulate their unchecked development.

    AI resistance: Who says no to AI and why?

    This article shows how resisting AI systems means more than protest. It’s a way to challenge power structures and call for more democratic governance.

    Can Şimşek on 18 August 2025
    The photo shows a close-up of a spiral seashell. This symbolises complexity and hidden layers, representing AI’s environmental impact across its full life cycle.

    Blind spot sustainability: Making AI’s environmental impact measurable

    AI’s environmental impact spans its entire life cycle, but remains a blind spot due to missing data and limited transparency. What must change?

    Lena Winter, Theresa Züger on 30 July 2025