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Research for the digital society

Global, interdisciplinary, in dialogue.

The institute's DNA

News from the institute

Publication

Regulation of digital platforms for a socially-just gig economy in Kenya

Study on the challenges of gig workers & their often unaddressed precarious livelihoods.

Kenya

Study on regulation of digital platform work in Kenya

Kenya is at the forefront of the gig economy, with a wide range of digital platforms operating and offering workers immense opportunities for flexible, cost-effective and convenient work. This study sheds light on challenges gig…

Kenya

Explore Kenya’s gig work world in new podcast episode

The 3rd episode of our podcast brings us to Kenya. Find out which opportunities gig work can offer and what gig workers demand from their employers and policy makers to achieve a fair and socially-just…

Kosovo

New study – Towards a hub for innovation, economic development and digital transformation

This urban design study was conducted by Octagon Architekturkollektiv and provides a strategy for the sustainable spatial transformation of the Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren, Kosovo. The study investigates the ITP’s spatial potential and…

Kosovo

2nd Podcast-Episode: Exploring Kosovo’s sustainable spatial developments

In the second episode of the new season of Exploring digital spheres we shine a light on the International Training Park Prizren (ITP) in Kosovo, an aspiring hub for innovation and economic development in the…

Publication

Sustainable Spatial Transformation of the Innovation and Training Park (ITP) Prizren

Study in the context of the redesign of a former military site into a centre for innovation.

Call for Founders: What has to change?

Are you a founder in Germany, or do you know one? Here is your chance to say what is going wrong. Describe one hurdle that cost you time or money and name the rule you would scrap. It takes five minutes – no solution needed. Send it in by 30 October.

Tell us what’s broken

Upcoming events

Further events

  • Nov
    02
    Panel discussion: AI needs women
    Panel discussion: AI needs women
    10:00 - 12:15 | Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend
  • Nov
    03
    Learning Call: Same same, but different?
    Learning Call: Same same, but different?
    16:00 - 17:00
  • Nov
    24
    Learning Call: Go East, Young DSA!
    Learning Call: Go East, Young DSA!
    16:00 - 17:00 | Online

    • 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 of data sharing and use serve 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

    The photo shows an airplane seen from below flying over a circular building. This symbolizes the human role alongside the autopilot in aviation.
    Daniel Pothmann | 28. October 2026

    Autopilot on, brain off? What we can learn from aviation about automation

    Planes have landed automatically since the 1950s. Why do we still need pilots? What aviation teaches us about humans, machines and responsible automation.

    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.