Skip to content

Research for the digital society

Global, interdisciplinary, in dialogue.

The institute's DNA

News from the institute

IPR Special Issue: Regulating the Sharing Economy

Sharing economy companies such as Uber and Airbnb are on the rise. In the most recent special issue of the Internet Policy Review different scholars adress ongoing debates about whether the sharing economy should be embraced, regulated…

Digitaler Salon in August: Haters gonna hate

Haters gonna hate? Digital civil courage and strategies against hate speach – these are the topics of the upcoming #DigSal on 31 August. What’s the fine line of freedom of speech and hatred in the internet. Come and discuss with us – a…

Startup Clinics “HIIG on the Road”

We went this summer ‘on the road’ again to capture Berlin’s vibrant and creative starup hub oat the Tech Open Air Festival. Subscribe to our channel and follow us to catch exclusive interviews and expert startup advice…

Essay: Governance by Internet of Things

Whith the help of digital intelligence, objects soon will make decisions on their own. But who will watch these smart objects then? How will the governence of things be regulated by law? This are questions Wolfgang…

AoIR 2016: Internet Rules!

The conference of the Association of Internet Research will take place 5–8 October 2016 at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and is hosted by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society. Follow the latest news and take a…

Digitaler Salon. Forever Punk!

No more real rebels today – just money-hungry dorks? TV is long gone, but are teen stars on YouTube really more popular than rock idols live on stage? We want to give the floor to…

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

  • Oct
    26
    Learning Call: Can the EU Regulate the Attention Economy?
    Learning Call: Can the EU Regulate the Attention Economy?
    16:00 - 17:15
  • Oct
    28
    Digitaler Salon: Blindflug?
    Digitaler Salon: Blindflug?
    19:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society
  • Nov
    03
    Learning Call: Same same, but different?
    Learning Call: Same same, but different?
    16:00 - 17:00

    • 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 governing data sharing and use be shaped in 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

    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.

    Hendrik Send, Martin Wrobel | 6. October 2026

    AI startups made in Germany — Specialisation instead of computing power

    What role do AI startups play in Germany’s position in the global AI race? This article draws on ten interviews to offer insight into their business models.