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?

Portrait: Andreas Jungherr

Political communication with digital media forms the core of Andreas Jungherr’s research. The bidt director’s approach is comprehensive. Instead of focusing on just one perspective, he seeks to gain an overall view.

Graduate Centre for doctoral candidates: Application phase started

The bidt is launching the call for applications for the Graduate Centre for doctoral students: Doctoral projects on digital transformation will receive €3,000 per year in funding, as well as further training and networking…

DigiMeet 2025: Global perspectives on platform governance

DigiMeet connects young researchers and promotes dialogue on the social, political and technological conditions of digital transformation. Focus for 2025: Design and regulation of digital platforms.

Dialogue series “Servus, AI!” launched

With the “Servus, AI!” series of dialogue, adult education centers, bidt, acatech, and the Learning Systems Platform are bringing citizens and experts together to discuss the opportunities and risks of AI.

Focus on digital responsibility: Federal Minister Wildberger visits institutes for digitalisation research

Federal Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger met with the Network of Institutes for Digitalization Research (NIfD). The focus: digital public sphere, disinformation, generative AI, and the modernization of government and administration.

Trust in the digital transformation: Impressions from the bidt Conference 2025

At the 2025 bidt Conference, experts from academia, politics, business and society discussed trust in digital transformation – in particular, the responsible use of AI.

SZ interview with sociologist Sabine Pfeiffer: “Humans will still be ahead of AI in 2035”

In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Sabine Pfeiffer explains how digitalization and AI are transforming our work world. At the same time, she cautions against exaggerated Silicon Valley narratives and calls for a realistic…

Deepfakes in der Strafverfolgung

Between reconnaissance and manipulation: deepfakes in law enforcement

Generative AI also opens up completely new possibilities in law enforcement, including the use of deepfakes to infiltrate criminal organisations. But would this be technically possible, ethically justifiable and legally feasible?

What is explainable artificial intelligence?

What is explainable artificial intelligence? How explanations influence trust in human-AI interaction

How can AI decisions be made more understandable? This article uses examples to show how explanations can be used effectively in human-AI interaction and what role they play in building trust.

The bidt at re:publica and TINCON

The bidt at re:publica and TINCON

Researchers from the bidt were prominently represented at re:publica and TINCON with talks and panels on disinformation, AI in the classroom, digital generational silos, toxic entertainment and the political handling of authenticity.