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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

Castells inaugurates lecture series on digital society

The current rapid social and technological change brings about enormous uncertainties – a great need for explanations and sense-making but also of shaping our…

New study: Collaboration with startups fosters innovative capacity

The collaboration between startups and medium-sized companies promises major advantages for both sides. Furthermore, it contributes to Germany’s innovative capacity. A new HIIG study…

Digitaler Salon: Hacking the Ivory Tower

How can science have a greater impact on society? And how are science slammers and open access related to this? At the last Digitaler…

Now available: HIIG Quarterly

Why did two HIIG researchers sign a letter to Mark Zuckerberg? When is Manuel Castells going to kick off our new lecture series? How…

European internet research on the rise

Together with other institutes we started a new platform for scientific cooperation and exchange. The recently founded “European Hub” aims at strenghtening european internet…

Dossier: How metaphors shape the digital society

Cloud, big data, piracy, virus are common terms in the debates about digital technologies. At the same time they are methaphors that originate from…

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • 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

    Rows of chairs in a higher education setting, symbolising how meaningful impact in technology design begins with understanding real people and their contexts.

    Impactful by design: For digital entrepreneurs driven to create positive societal impact

    How impact entrepreneurs can shape digital innovation to build technologies that create meaningful and lasting societal change.

    Paul Vilchez on 3 December 2025
    A shelf with books and a deconstructed face sculpture, symbolising how AI and bias influence knowledge and learning in higher education.

    Identifying bias, taking responsibility: Critical perspectives on AI and data quality in higher education

    AI is changing higher education. This article explores the risks of bias and why we need a critical approach.

    Katharina Mosene, Johanna Leifeld on 3 December 2025
    The photo shows fighting white and black pelicans on the water, symbolising the spread of disinformation by German politicians and parties.

    Who spreads disinformation, where, for what purpose, and to what extent?

    How much disinformation do German politicians and parties actually spread? On which platforms and to what ends? Two new studies provide systematic answers.

    Sami Nenno on 10 November 2025