In this ITAS research group, developments in the field of digital technologies are analyzed and evaluated both theoretically and empirically with regard to their interactions with social change processes. The social implications of digital technologies are examined both in the context of recent technical developments and in terms of their transformative potential in social fields. Two of her current projects are Systemic risks of artificial intelligence and Uncontrollable artificial intelligence: An existential risk?
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The Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) is operated by the ITAS of the KIT. The short study prepared by the TAB was approved by the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment on July 5, 2023. Its aim was to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of e-voting in comparison to conventional voting procedures by personal voting in a polling station or postal voting.
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The Digital Democracy & Participation research group combines business informatics and democracy research. As a joint initiative of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the FZI Research Center for Information Technology, the interdisciplinary team led by Jonas Fegert investigates how digital platforms influence political participation - from polarization and disinformation to new forms of participation. Through data-driven analyses and technological developments, the group is laying the scientific foundations for a more resilient digital democracy. A summary of this research approach can be found in the editorial "Digital Democracy: A Wake-Up Call".
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This project examines the moral questions raised by the rise of state mass surveillance in liberal democracies. This is enabled by modern technologies and is caught between the protection of privacy and the need for security. While privacy is essential for individuals and democracy, extensive surveillance may be necessary to prevent serious threats such as terrorist attacks. Prof. Dr. Christian Seidel from the Department of Philosophy is working on an empirically informed moral assessment of this issue.
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The KIdeKu project explores the question of how Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT can be used to strengthen deliberative culture. What opportunities do these technologies offer to improve democratic practice?
To answer these key questions, the KIdeKu team wants to involve civil society actors in the research and development process and make the results openly communicated and freely available for use and further development.
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