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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

Book Launch

Alexander Schiff: Informationsintermediäre

In a phase of upheaval in legal access to information intermediaries, the author points out perspectives for reform.

Digital Electoral Compass 2021

How much digital policy is in the election programs?

As of today, interested parties can check the party programs for the Bundestag elections for digital issues and compare them with each other.

Quarterly Newsletter

Latest research activities, projects and publications

Read how we are currently addressing the ethical issues of digitalisation on a global scale.

AI & Society Lab

EDIT-A-THON Intersectional AI Toolkit

Join us for an afternoon exploring and imagining intersectional possibilities for AI and more ethical, equitable technologies.

Event series: Digitaler Salon

Cookies make you lose control

In August, we will talk about digital self-determination. The talk will be held in German.

Ethik der Digitalisierung

Federal President Steinmeier visits via live online connection

On 24 June 2021, Federal President Steinmeier talked with the participants of the “Toward an African Narrative on Digital Sovereignty” research sprint about new…

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • July 21
    Explaining personalisation on the internet in simple terms
    13:00 - 15:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society |
  • July 29
    Digitaler Salon: Gott und die Maschine
    19:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society | AI
  • August 11
    3rd Workshop on ‘Public Interest AI’
    All Day | Messe Bremen (Exhibition Center) |

    • 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

    Rows of empty blue chairs in a plenary hall, symbolizing the question of whether AI can strengthen democracy.

    Can AI strengthen democracy? A data collection on AI projects aiming to serve democratic processes

    This article introduces a dataset of 98 AI projects claiming to serve democracy, built to help researchers test these claims.

    S. Youssef, T. Züger, L. Winter on 13 July 2026
    The photo shows the Statue of Liberty's law tablet as a symbol of the freedom of expression in the transatlantic DSA debate.

    Between accusations of censorship and platform power: What the Digital Services Act actually regulates

    The DSA is increasingly attacked as “censorship law”. This article argues: Its core purpose is to protect freedom of expression online.

    Matthias Kettemann, Wolfgang Schulz on 7 July 2026

    Democracy at the ballot: Results from our voting booth at the Long Night of Sciences

    We invited Berliners to share their feelings and opinions about democracy in Germany. The results will be published here soon.

    A. Watolla, M. Stenzel on 29 June 2026