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Research for the digital society

Global, interdisciplinary, in dialogue.

The institute's DNA

News from the institute

Publication

A Question of Context

According to a new HIIG whitepaper, how companies introduce generative AI and employees use it depends not on the technology itself, but on the professional field.

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.

Upcoming events

Further events

  • Oct
    28
    Digitaler Salon: Blindflug?
    Digitaler Salon: Blindflug?
    19:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society
  • Nov
    24
    Learning Call: Go East, Young DSA!
    Learning Call: Go East, Young DSA!
    16:00 - 17:00 | Online
  • Nov
    26
    Ideathon: Between Ambition and Bureaucratic Barriers
    Ideathon: Between Ambition and Bureaucratic Barriers
    16:30 - 21:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society

    • Discussion dossiers

    Platform governance

    How can the goals of corporations and the values of society be reconciled on online platforms?

    Data governance

    How can the technical, organisational, and regulatory mechanisms governing data sharing and use be shaped in the public interest?

    Artificial intelligence and society

    How can we better understand the complex and reciprocal relationship between AI systems and social processes?

    Digitalisation and sustainability

    How can technology be used responsibly, taking into account social, economic and ecological dimensions?

    Digital future of the workplace

    How will digital organisation, digitalisation, and AI in the workplace transform the world of work?

    KAPAZ- Material Collection

    Tackling hostility towards science

    What can be done when research comes under pressure? This resource collection supports researchers and institutions with strategies and tools for responding to hostile attacks.

    KI-Kompas

    AI compass

    AI is embedded across many areas of society, from medicine to nature conservation. Our card game presents concrete applications and invites players to critically examine their uses and implications.

    Data Governance Wegweiser - Digital Governance Lab

    Data governance guide

    Why does the potential of municipal data so often go unrealised? This handbook supports public administrations in planning and implementing data-driven projects in legally sound ways.

    DIGITAL SOCIETY BLOG

    Further articles

    There are piles of colourful stones stacked on top of each other. They symbolise the debate among Bundestag members about wealth taxation on social media.
    Sami Nenno | 9. October 2026

    #TaxTheRich: How do members of the German Bundestag debate wealth taxation on social media?

    Germany’s Constitutional Court is reviewing the inheritance tax. A study shows how members of the Bundestag argue online.

    A black, white and ginger cat peeking out from behind a wall, symbolising the cat and mouse game surrounding the Digital Services Act.
    Daniel Pothmann | 6. October 2026

    Enforcing the Digital Services Act: A cat & mouse game?

    The Digital Services Act has been in force for two years. Is it working as expected? A look at enforcement progress and geopolitical influences.

    Hendrik Send, Martin Wrobel | 6. October 2026

    AI startups made in Germany — Specialisation instead of computing power

    What role do AI startups play in Germany’s position in the global AI race? This article draws on ten interviews to offer insight into their business models.