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A breath of fresh air.

Soon, our new research focus areas
will be available for exploration.

A breath of fresh air.

Soon, our new research priorities
will be available for exploration.

NEWS FROM THE INSTITUTE

Open Educational Resource

Online course: Social polarisation and what to do about it

Why do societies drift apart and how can this be dealt with in practice?

blog post

Why AI predicts the past and perpetuates discrimination

Katharina Mosene explains why artificial intelligence is not neutral.

Press release

Three foundations are supporting digitalisation research at HIIG

With this momentum, HIIG is realigning its research agenda.

Reserach focus area

Democratic Change and Knowledge

We explore the interplay and role of knowledge and science in democratic self-determination – particularly in the context of digital challenges.

Job Application

Senior Researcher (m/w/d): Innovation, Entrepreneurship und Society

HIIG is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to coordinate a new research focus area.

Job Application

Research Lead (m/f/d): Democratic Change and Knowledge

HIIG is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to lead a new research priority.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • November 04
    Train-the-Trainer: Dealing with hostility towards science in public communication (V)
    8:45 - 16:45 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • December 16
    XXth Interdisciplinary Workshop “Privacy, Data Protection & Surveillance”
    12:00 - 18:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • January 28
    From consent to control: A new tool for effective self-determination over your data
    16:00 - 18:30 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |

    • 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…

    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.

    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

    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
    The photo shows an old television set standing in the middle of a forest, symbolising the hidden environmental cost of digital technology and the concept of the digital metabolic rift.

    The digital metabolic rift: Why do we live beyond our means online?

    We cut plastic and fly less, but scroll and stream nonstop. The digital metabolic rift reveals why our eco-awareness ends where the digital begins.

    Nele Buß on 24 July 2025