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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

Recent HIIG Study

Smart Energy Study: Potential of user innovation

Newly published: First comprehensive study on the use and acceptance of smart energy applications in Germany by HIIG-researchers Hendrik Send and Matti Große. Most…

Digitaler Salon: LOL war gestern

Cat falls off the sofa: Roflmao, epic fail! Dumbness prevails, deal with it! On 28 February, we are going to discuss memes and online…

Future and uncertainty in the digital society

What does prediction by algorithms and AI mean? How does AI shift our understanding and production of knowledge? And how do algorithmic forecasts affect…

Brand new: encore Volume 2017

encore is just off the presses – transformed into a high-profile magazine on internet and society research. Share the latest issue with your friends,…

We are hiring!

You are interested in internet-enabled innovation, open innovation and entrepreneurship? Then apply as a scientific project manager at our institute and join HIIG’s international…

Out now: HIIG Quarterly

2018 has gotten off to an exciting start! Read HIIG’s Quarterly newsletter to learn more about our plans for this year, digital research mining,…

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • April 28
    DSA Research Network: Fourth Meeting of the Circle of Friends 
    15:00 - 16:30 | Online |
  • April 29
    Digitaler Salon: Abschluss, dann Absage?
    19:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society | Everyday Life
  • 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…

    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 person climbing a steep rock face, symbolising the effort AI observatories make to scrutinise and challenge the structures of algorithmic power.

    Algorithms under scrunity: AI observatories as democratic infrastructure

    Algorithms have a profound impact on people’s lives. This article explores why AI observatories are essential for democratic governance.

    Paola Cantarini Guerra on 10 April 2026
    A volcanic eruption resembling an explosion, used to illustrate the metaphor of AI as a destructive "killing machine".

    Forget the “killing machine”: why AI is a question of responsibility, not apocalypse

    The authors challenge the metaphor of artificial intelligence as a “killing machine” that will one day surpass its human creators.

    Matthias C. Kettemann, Frederik Efferenn on 18 March 2026
    Blurred red face on a dark background symbolizing how AI agents construct digital identity.

    The bot that bit back: AI agents, defamation and the digital construction of identity

    A real case of an AI agent publishing a smear piece raises new legal questions about responsibility and digital identity.

    J. Nörz, M. Wiechert & W. Schulz on 11 March 2026