Topic: Digital public sphere
Digital media, fake news, and the power of opinions – never before have we had access to so much information. How can we shape public discourse, political coordination, and participation? What rules are necessary for a digital public sphere?
The role of AI in Counterspeech: Assessing Risks and Potential
Hate speech harms individuals and digital debates. The study shows how AI can support counterspeech – and what risks need to be considered.
The debate over a social media ban: facts rather than gut feelings
Researchers from bidt, CAIS, and the Weizenbaum Institute provide an evidence-based perspective on social media bans for children and teenagers and warn against rushed political measures.
Three questions for the team behind the bidt project ‘Ethics in Agile Software Development’
Jan Gogoll and Niina Zuber explain how ethical reflection can be integrated into agile software development—and why AI coding assistants cannot replace human responsibility.
Deutschlandfunk Background – The Germany Stack: Sabine Pfeiffer examines key issues in the digital modernisation of the state
What might a shared digital infrastructure for public services in Germany look like? In a Deutschlandfunk feature, Professor Sabine Pfeiffer explains the unresolved issues surrounding the project.
Forests in transition: the ROOT research project makes changes visible and usable
To mark the conclusion of the “ROOT – Real-Time Earth Observation of Forest Dynamics and Biodiversity” project, the “ROOT Forest Monitor” app was unveiled, which is already available for practical use.
Ute Schmid receives the 2026 Communicator Award
Professor Ute Schmid has been awarded the 2026 Communicator Prize. The director of bidt is being honoured for her commitment to communicating artificial intelligence in a way that is both accessible and socially responsible.
SZ Digitalgipfel 2026: Europe’s digital future – AI, security and sovereignty
The 2026 SZ Digital Summit focused on Europe’s digital future, with a particular emphasis on AI, security and sovereignty.
Digitalisation research as the basis for a digitally sovereign and networked society: Meeting with Federal Minister Bär and the Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research in Berlin
Federal Minister Dorothee Bär met with the Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research (NIfD). The meeting focused on the contribution of digitalisation research to a digitally sovereign and democratic society.
Between criticism and campaigning: On the strategic use of media hostility in digital crisis discourse (CRASH – Crisis And Strategic Hostility)
The project analyses how anti-media messages spread in digital public spheres during crises, which actors are involved, and how AI-supported chatbot interventions can help counter disinformation campaigns.