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

New project

Digital Urban Center for Aging and Health (DUCAH)

From 19 April, the DUCAH participants will explore problems in the interplay of digitisation, urbanisation and health.

Making sense of the digital society

Genia Kostka: Big data dreams and local reality in China

Are digital technologies tools for convenience or control? And how does it alter state-society relations in China?

Call for applications

Toward an African Narrative on Digital Sovereignty

Be part of our virtual research Sprint 2021 on the African Narrative on Digital Sovereignty! Application Deadline: Sunday, 23 May 2021.

Call for Participation

Be part of it and give young committed people a voice!

At the “Dialogue Day: Strengthening Young and Digital Engagement”, young people are given the opportunity to exchange views on everyday challenges and demands related…

New research tool

Platform Governance Archive published

The Platform Governance Archive (PGA) facilitates critical engagement with the way platforms govern our communication and activities.

Winter Clinic Report

How platforms and advertisers can make job ads algorithms fairer

Twelve international fellows developed innovative approaches to improving fairness in targeted job advertising.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

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 train conductor with a orange mohawk hairstyle directs train traffic, symbolising the idea of platform alternatives.

Beyond Big Tech: National strategies for platform alternatives

China, Russia and India are building national platform alternatives to reduce their dependence on Big Tech. What can Europe learn from their strategies?

Alina Kontareva on 15 October 2025

Semi-transparent glass floor with only footprints visible, symbolising partial insight like the DSA's transparency reports that show traces but not the full picture.

Counting without accountability? An analysis of the DSA’s transparency reports

Are the DSA’s transparency reports really holding platforms accountable? A critical analyses of reports from major platforms reveals gaps and raises doubts.

Jella Ohnesorge on 25 September 2025

A lone shark in the blue ocean symbolises pressure, rivalry and the “shark tank” metaphor. The image reflects emotionless competition at work, where AI can trigger feelings of inferiority and lead to a loss of trust in the technology.

Emotionless competition at work: When trust in Artificial Intelligence falters

Emotionless competition with AI harms workplace trust. When employees feel outperformed by machines, confidence in their skills and the technology declines.

Lorenz Graf-Vlachy on 4 September 2025