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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

HIIG at re:publica 2017

In which direction is our digital society going? According to the motto »Love Out Loud«, re:publica 2017 invites activists, scientists and media-makers to Berlin. This year, we…

Fundamental rights in the digital age

The internet is a space where social relationships are cultivated, business is conducted, new knowledge is created, and all kinds of networks are built….

Lunch talk with Arne Hintz

The collection and processing of massive amounts of data is becoming an increasingly contentious issue. In this public talk on 22 February, Arne Hintz…

Digitaler Salon: Make Facts Relevant Again

Make facts relevant again. We’ll figure out whether emotions have replaced reason and how enlightened citizens can oppose populism. How can we save democracy…

Lunch talk with Meropi Tzanetakis

Meropi Tzanetakis takes you on a trip to the “dark” side of the web. How were global markets for drugs able to emerge on…

Digitaler Salon: Akademie der Autodidakten

Akademie der Autodidakten. Will online platforms and YouTube channels become tomorrow’s further training centres? To what extent can independently acquired knowledge gain recognition inside…

UPCOMING EVENTS

Further events

  • January 28
    From consent to control: A new tool for effective self-determination over your data
    16:00 - 18:30 | Einstein Center Digital Future |
  • January 28
    Digitaler Salon: Unfreiwillig & Selbstbestimmt
    19:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society | Everyday Life
  • April 28
    DSA Research Network: Fourth Meeting of the Circle of Friends 
    15:00 - 16:30 | Online |

    • 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

    The photo pictures a basketball hoop, symbolising the Human in the Loop in automated credit lending.

    The Human in the Loop in automated credit lending – Human expertise for greater fairness

    How fair is automated credit lending? Where is human expertise essential?

    Philipp Mahlow, Katharina Mosene on 8 December 2025
    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