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In 2024 alone, over 70 countries are holding national elections, making it a pivotal year for democracies around the globe. With the rise of generative AI, there's a pressing need to understand its impact on the integrity and fairness of electoral processes. For instance, research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has shown that misinformation campaigns powered by AI can spread up to six times faster than factual news. Also, a recent study done by the AI Democracy Projects - a collaboration between Proof News and the Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab at the Institute for Advanced Study led by Alondra Nelson shows that a majority of AI models’ responses to questions voters might ask were inaccurate, incomplete or even harmful. The implications for voter behavior and election outcomes are profound, necessitating thorough investigation.

 

Project Goals

  1. Mapping the Field: Analyzing the global electoral landscape from the past year, the role of generative AI from the electoral campaigns to the elections, as well as the frameworks in place to mitigate the risks.
  2. Learning from Elections around the globe:Drawing insights from elections worldwide in 2024 to understand how GenAI can influence – negatively or positively – electoral processes.
  3. Countering Mis/DisinformationIdentifying strategies to mitigate the risks of misinformation and disinformation in the electoral context, with a focus on the upcoming German election in 2025.

 

About Amélie Hennemann-Heldt

Dr. Amélie Hennemann-Heldt brings a wealth of expertise from her distinguished career in digital policy and media research. She joined the German Federal Chancellery in 2022 and serves as the deputy head of division ‘General Digital Policy Issues’.

Prior to this, she worked as a researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow-Institut (HBI) and was associated with the Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society. She was also a lecturer in fundamental and human rights at the Berlin School of Economics and Law and at the University of Jena. Amélie completed fellowships with the Information Society Project at Yale Law School, the Center for Cyber, Law & Policy at Haifa University, and the Weizenbaum-Institute.

In her research, she focused on platform regulation, social media governance, the impact of new technologies on the digital public sphere, and the exercise of fundamental rights in the context of algorithmic decision-making and autonomous systems. She co-founded the HBI Digital Disinformation Hub and co-edited a volume on the constitutionalization of social media. In her doctoral dissertation, she examined the horizontal effect of freedom of expression on social media platforms. 

 

Fellowship of Practice in Collaboration with our Labs

As Fellow of Practice, Amélie will collaborate with the Civic Machines Lab led by Orestis Papkyriakopoulos, the Content Moderation Lab led by Yannis Theocharis, and various members of the GenAI Task Force, to delve into the impacts of GenAI on elections.

At the Summit of the Future, UN member states will adopt the Global Digital Compact, a comprehensive framework that will set the course for digital governance based on shared principles and global priorities. Here’s how we contribute to a bright digital future for all.

In an increasingly digital world, the divides in access, safety, and innovation are becoming more pronounced across countries and communities. At this summit, representatives from 193 UN member states will work together to shape a future where digital technologies are harnessed to drive sustainable development and bridge global divides. The Global Digital Compact aims to address critical issues such as connectivity, digital literacy, data governance, and trust. It also seeks to protect freedom of speech and promote a trustworthy internet by introducing accountability measures for discrimination and misleading content. The Compact is not just a framework; it's a vision for a digital future that is open, free, secure, and human-centered—a future that contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.

“We can't build a future for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents.”
Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

Keep an eye out on our social media channels and this page to learn more about the Global Digital Compact and our related projects.

Coming Up

Summit of the Future Action Days Side Event: Sept 21, 17:15-18:30 CET

"The Power of the Commons: Digital Public Goods for a More Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient World"

Ahead of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), world, industry, and civil society leaders will convene at the United Nations for the Summit of the Future. There, they will vote on the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, guiding documents that offer an important opportunity to shape our digital world. Two Action Days will precede the Summit of the Future, offering an opportunity for multi-stakeholder discussion on the future of global digital governance.

We invite you to join the livestream for "The Power of the Commons: Digital Public Goods for a More Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient World" — a side event during the Summit of the Future Action Days at the United Nations. Hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia, this event explores the transformative potential of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) such as Wikipedia and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPIs) in fostering sustainable development worldwide.
This event is co-sponsored by the UN Member State Delegations of Germany, Mexico, and Poland, and the UN Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology, as well as the organizations Access Now, Network of Centers, Wikimedia Deutschland, Wikimedia Czech Republic, Wikimedia Polska, Wikimedia Europe, and us here at the TUM Think Tank.

This event will delve into the critical role DPGs and DPIs play in:

Event discussions will explore:

Find more information on the event here.

Livestream

 

Our Role in Shaping the Digital Future

At the forefront of this global effort, the Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP) and the TUM Think Tank are driving innovative projects that contribute to the pillars of digital spaces, digital governance, and digital sustainability.


“The GDC should focus on accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals by addressing the following areas: 1) ensuring the equitable distribution of digital benefits across all nations, not just those in the Global North, 2) promoting digital accessibility and diversity, while enhancing interoperability between digital systems, 3) ensuring the responsible, secure, and transparent use of emerging technologies, such as AI, with human oversight throughout and 4) holding major digital  platforms and tech companies  accountable. The GDC should act as a driving force, leveraging digital technology to reduce global inequalities.”

Virgilio Almeida, Berkman Klein Center, Harvard University


Digital Spaces

Digital spaces are the new public spheres where people connect, share, and interact. To ensure these spaces are safe, inclusive, and respectful, the Global Digital Compact emphasizes the need for inclusive governance and the protection of human rights online, by establishing clear guidelines, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring accountability for harmful behaviors. Here are some of the examples that our work focuses on:

Content Moderation Lab (Yannis Theocharis)

The Content Moderation Lab researches how users interact within digital spaces and their attitudes towards content they encounter online. Through unique data science research, the Content Moderation Lab will provide actionable policy advice about content moderation to lawmakers and companies. By focusing on user attitudes and experiences, and including civil society organizations in research and dialogues, their work gives policymakers a more comprehensive understanding of which problems must be solved, and how to do so. Read more.

REMODE (Christian Djeffal)

As part of the former Reboot Social Media Lab, the project REMODE developed a method to involve users in the design of social media platforms as well as a toolbox to enhance and expand citizen engagement in content moderation mechanisms. Their method is inspired by both participatory technology assessments and participatory design approaches. Read more.

GovTech Initiative (Urs Gasser, Markus Siewert)

This work contributes to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces by fostering cooperation between public administration and the tech industry. Through its research and collaboration efforts, the initiative promotes digital literacy and responsible governance in the public sector, ensuring that digital spaces within government services are accessible, transparent, and accountable. Read more.

Immersive Realities Group (Auxane Boch, Urs Gasser, Daniel Saad, Sofie Schönborn)

This group is creating a hub of researchers from various disciplines including political science, law, computer science, economics, and design. Along with collaborators from the Munich ecosystem and their international network, they form an innovation-friendly partnership, critically exploring the potential of immersive technologies. The project, as one example, prototypes an interactional agent for education in VR - with a simultaneous research project on learning in VR, ethical validation and governance. Read more.

Transformation Finance Lab (Florian Egli)

The Transformation Finance Lab co-designs, improves and evaluates policies to mobilize investment for a sustainable transformation of infrastructure, companies and economies. To the extent that digital spaces require capital from different sources with a common public purpose, the Lab’s work will help identifying, interacting with and mobilizing a variety of sources of capital. Read more.

Civic Machines Lab (Orestis Papakyriakopoulos)

The lab's goal is to address algorithmic unfairness both in foundational machine learning research and when algorithms are implemented in society, cultivating a world where emerging technologies act as agents for creating fairer and more sustainable societies. Read more.

Urban Digitainability Lab (Stefan Wurster, Markus Siewert)

The Urban Digitainability Lab (UDL) accelerates cities' green and digital twin transitions by fostering collaboration between municipalities, researchers, and urban stakeholders. The Lab supports digital spaces that facilitate knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and innovation diffusion, fostering inter-city and intra-city ecosystem development. Read more.

More projects at the Munich School for Politics and Public Policy HfP.

 


Digital Governance

Digital governance ensures that online interactions are fair, transparent, and accountable. To achieve this, the Global Digital Compact underscores the importance of establishing robust frameworks, enhancing regulatory oversight, and fostering global cooperation for effective digital management. Our initiatives include:

GenAI TF (Urs Gasser, Enkelejda Kasneci)

The Gen AI Task Force supports decision-makers in the public sector when evaluating the need, ethical foundation, and design of guidelines in the field of generative AI, for instance in the form of recommendations, best practices as well as policies, including future regulatory approaches. One example is the recently published policy brief "Regulatory Sandboxes as Governance Mechanisms for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" that was co-authored by Noha Lea Halim from Generative AI Taskforce, alongside international experts Armando Guio (Network of Centers) and Christian Perrone (ITS Rio). This brief explores AI governance within global digital governance, emphasizing the role of regulatory sandboxes in driving sustainable innovation and cross-border collaboration. Read more.

The Ethical Data Initiative (Sabina Leonelli)

The Ethical Data Initiativeaims to provide critical guidance and coordination for global efforts towards data governance, including responsible and ethical practices mindful of the social and scientific implications of data sharing. The Initiative builds on long-standing expertise in this domain as well as extensive and expanding collaborations with numerous actors in this space, including both local institutions and national/international networks. Read more.

GovTech Initiative (Urs Gasser, Markus Siewert)

The GovTech Initiative plays a critical role in advancing digital governance by providing evidence-based research that informs policy and regulatory frameworks. The initiative supports the development of transparent, fair, and accountable digital processes within public administration, enhancing global cooperation for effective digital governance. Read more.

Content Moderation Lab (Yannis Theocharis)

The Lab's user-centric insights aim to advance digital governance by strengthening informed decision-making for regulators and technology companies alike. By providing critical information to help policymakers design, implement, and enforce content moderation policies, the Lab supports policies that are responsive to public concerns and solutions that reflect public preferences. Read more.

Transformation Finance Lab (Florian Egli)

The Transformation Finance Lab co-designs, improves and evaluates policies to mobilize investment for a sustainable transformation of infrastructure, companies and economies. To the extent that digital governance requires capital from different sources with a common public purpose, the Lab’s work will help identifying, interacting with and mobilizing a variety of sources of capital. Read more.

Urban Digitainability Lab (Stefan Wurster, Markus Siewert)

The UDL strengthens digital governance by equipping city administrations with the strategies, tools, and expertise needed to manage twin transitions effectively. The Lab bridges the gap between policy and practice, ensuring cities can future-proof their urban infrastructures while adapting to evolving citizen needs. Read more.

More projects at the Munich School for Politics and Public Policy HfP.

Quantum Social Lab (Urs Gasser, Fabienne Marco)

The Quantum Social Lab pioneers digital governance by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address the ethical, legal, and societal challenges of emerging quantum technologies, ensuring responsible innovation and societal benefit. Read more.

 


Digital Sustainability

Digital sustainability is about creating technology and practices that support long-term ecological and social well-being. The Global Digital Compact advocates for integrating sustainable practices into digital development, and our projects are aligned with this vision:

Ethical Data Initiative (Sabina Leonelli)

Fostering the sustainability of data infrastructures and prospective uses, as well as those of metadata and derivative data, is at the core of the EDI mission. This is achieved through education and training initiatives, in the form of online resources, seminars and workshops, as well as research on how sustainability can be achieved and implemented within specific contexts and domains, and policy work towards promoting adequate decision-making and investments. Read more.

GovTech Initiative (Urs Gasser, Markus Siewert)

The GovTech Initiative integrates sustainable practices into public administration by encouraging the adoption of digital technologies that improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. We advocate for long-term ecological and social well-being through responsible innovation and the sustainable development of digital tools and processes in government. Read more.

GenAI Taskforce (Urs Gasser, Enkelejda Kasneci)

The GenAI Taskforce is working towards closing digital divides and accelerating progress across the SDGs, as its members advise governments in Thailand and Colombia. Further members work on the topic of youth and digital citizenship to understand skills needed for a digital world. One example of their work is the recently published policy brief "Regulatory Sandboxes as Governance Mechanisms for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)". Here you can read how sandboxes can serve as a tool for advancing AI innovation toward achieving sustainability-related SDGs. This brief emphasized their role in testing green technologies and reducing CO2 emissions. Read more.

Immersive Realities Group (Auxane Boch, Urs Gasser, Daniel Saad, Sofie Schönborn)

This group is creating a hub of researchers from various disciplines including political science, law, computer science, economics, and design. Their upcoming hackathonshowcases an impressive international network of collaborators, with a wide range of stakeholders participating as mentors, judges, and challengers. In addition, it is a hands-on environment where technologies and practices are created that support long-term environmental and social well-being, as these aspirations are directly incorporated into the challenges formulated. Read more.

Transformation Finance Lab (Florian Egli)

The Transformation Finance Lab co-designs, improves and evaluates policies to mobilize investment for a sustainable transformation of infrastructure, companies and economies.When digital technologies and practices provide a tangible positive sustainability effect, the Transformation Finance Lab can help mobilizing capital to achieve these ends. Read more.

Urban Digitainability Lab (Stefan Wurster, Markus Siewert)

The UDL drives digital sustainability by aligning technological innovation with climate goals. Through the twin transition, cities leverage digital technologies to decarbonize urban infrastructure, unlocking opportunities for resilient, equitable, and sustainable urban development. Read more.

Network of Centers

To promote digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, collaboration is essential. We are proud to be part of the Network of Centers (NoC), a global initiative where diverse stakeholders come together to build a more sustainable digital future. Through cross-border cooperation among institutions and universities, we contribute to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration on the critical challenges posed by new technologies, social change, and related policy and regulatory developments.

As part of this network, we are co-hosting a side event at the United Nations Headquarters: The Power of the Commons: Digital Public Goods for a More Secure, Inclusive, and Resilient World during the Summit of the Future Action Days. Find more information on how to join online here at our event page.

More projects at the Munich School for Politics and Public Policy HfP.

Empowering the Next Generation

At the TUM Think Tank, we recognize the vital role that young people play in shaping our digital future. We actively collaborate with youth and amplify their voices, ensuring that their perspectives are integral to the Global Digital Compact. Through initiatives, workshops, and partnerships, we empower youth to engage in digital governance and innovation, making sure that their ideas and concerns are heard and reflected in global digital policies.

Meet the Fellows

Meet the new Friedrich Schiedel Fellows who work on building new bridges between social sciences, technology, and other disciplines. Their interdisciplinary research projects, under the motto "Human-Centered Innovation for Technology in Society" focus on how technologies can be developed responsibly, human-centered, and democratically, serving the public good.

Auxane Boch: Psychology Impact Assessment for Interactional Systems: Defining the Evaluation Scope (PSAIS)

This research project aims to address the lack of frameworks for systematically assessing the diverse psychological impacts of AI. By adopting a participatory approach and considering cultural values, the project seeks to develop a multi-cultural mapping framework for evaluating the psychological impact of AI systems. The research will involve workshops and consultations with stakeholders from various sectors and regions to define evaluation criteria. The project will contribute to the development of concrete recommendations for action by providing a culturally-informed framework that can guide the responsible development and application of AI technologies. The impact of the project extends to academic disciplines, partner institutions, societal stakeholder groups, and policy actors. It will foster interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, stimulate discussions on standardization, and contribute to the reduction of potential inequities arising from technology adoption. The project aims to be a change agent by actively contributing to the implementation of the recommendations and ensuring user well-being and trust in AI systems.

Efe Bozkir: Echoes of Privacy: Exploring User Privacy Decision-Making Processes towards Large Language Model-based Agents in Immersive Realities

User privacy concerns and preferences have been researched extensively in the context of various technologies, such as smart speakers, IoT devices, and augmented reality glasses, to facilitate better privacy decision-making and human-centered solutions. With the emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs) have started being integrated into our daily routines, where models are tuned with vast amounts of data, including sensitive information. The possibility of embedding these models in immersive settings brings a plethora of questions from privacy and usability point of view. In this project, through several user studies, including crowdsourcing ones, we will explore privacy concerns and preferences towards LLM-powered and speech-based chat agents for immersive settings and inference likelihood of alarming user attributes. The findings will help understand the privacy implications of such settings, design informed consent procedures that support users in immersive spaces that include LLMs, and facilitate privacy-aware technical solutions.

Baris C. Cantürk: Future Finance Law Hub (“F2L_Hub”)

The Future Finance Law Hub (“F2L_Hub”) is a project aimed at becoming a policy-maker hub at the intersection of IT law and commercial law, established at TUM, with the primary area of influencing Germany and the European Union in the medium to long term. Central to its modus operandi is the aggregation of prominent stakeholders from academia and industry across multidisciplinary domains, including law, finance, and IT, to generate significant outputs.
As delineated in the foregoing summary, F2L_Hub embodies a mission of considerable magnitude, delineating medium and long-term objectives aimed at institutionalizing a tradition in this field. Thus, this fellowship is poised to function as the catalyzing force behind the establishment of F2L_Hub, leveraging both financial resources and access to an excellent academic environment. Through this esteemed fellowship, a noteworthy organizational milestone will be attained, facilitating the procurement of requisite funding and partnerships vital for the execution of ancillary processes.

Daryna Dementieva: Harmful Speech Proactive Moderation

Offensive speech remains a pervasive issue despite ongoing efforts, as underscored by recent EU regulations aimed at mitigating digital violence. Existing approaches primarily rely on binary solutions, such as outright blocking or banning, yet fail to address the complex nature of hate speech. In this work, we want to advocate for a more comprehensive approach that aims to assess and classify offensive speech within several new categories: (i) hate speech that can be prevented from publishing by recommending a detoxified version; (ii) hate speech that necessitated counter speech initiatives to persuade the speaker; (iii) hate speech that should be indeed blocked or banned, and (iv) instances mandating further human intervention.

 

Mennatullah Hendawy: Setting up the Future with Sustainable Choices: GenAI Support in Resolving Multi- Stakeholder Conflicts in Sustainable Critical Metals & Minerals Development

This project outlines an innovative approach to resolve multi-stakeholder conflicts in the sustainable development of critical metals and minerals essential for decarbonization efforts. Recognizing the complexities and sustainability challenges within the supply chains of these materials, particularly those sourced from the Global South / emerging economies, the project proposes a digital platform leveraging reactive machine AI (RM-AI) and generative AI (Gen-AI) with human-in-the-loop functionalities. This platform is designed to facilitate transparent and inclusive discussions among public/community representatives, government, and industry stakeholders, ensuring a balanced consideration of environmental, economic, and social sustainability targets. Through co-developing a concept for an interactive, game- based decision-making tool powered by Gen-AI, the project aims to identify common interests, model sustainability trade-offs, and find consensus solutions that align with the societal goals of reducing inequality and promoting economic growth with decent work conditions. The project's integration of RM and Gen AI aims to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical decision-makers, enhancing stakeholder engagement and trust in AI-driven processes, thereby aligning closely with the fellowship’s mission of human- centered innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration for the public good.

Franziska M. Poszler: Research-based theater: An innovative method for communicating and co-shaping AI ethics research & development

This project will implement a creative approach to conducting, educating, and communicating AI ethics research through the lens of the arts (i.e., research-based theater). The core idea revolves around conducting qualitative interviews and user studies on the impact of AI systems on human ethical decision-making. It focuses specifically on exploring the potential opportunities and risks of employing these systems as aids for ethical decision-making, along with their broader societal impacts and recommended system requirements. Generated scientific findings will be translated into a theater script and (immersive) performance. This performance seeks to effectively educate civil society on up-to-date research in an engaging manner and facilitate joint discussions (e.g., on necessary and preferred system requirements or restrictions). The insights from these discussions, in turn, are intended to inform the scientific community, thereby facilitating a human-centered development and use of AI systems as moral dialogue partners or advisors. Overall, this project should serve as a proof of concept for innovative teaching, science communication and co-design in AI ethics research, laying the groundwork for similar projects in the future.

More information on the project can be found here:https://www.ieai.sot.tum.de/research/moralplai/

Malte Toetzke: Developing the Google Maps for the Climate Transition

I envision to develop the Google Maps for the climate transition. Business leaders and policy makers need more comprehensive and timely evidence to accelerate industrial development of climate-tech effectively. With recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is now possible to develop models that generate such evidence at large scale and in near real-time. In the project, I will analyze the global network of organizations collaborating on climate-tech innovation. The network is based on processing the social media posts of organizations via large language models (LLMs). It includes key public and private actors and spans various types of climate technologies (e.g., solar, hydrogen, electric vehicles) and types of collaborations (R&D collaborations, demonstration projects, equity investments). I will use the fellowship to conduct in-depth analyses generating valuable insights for managers and policy-makers on facilitating innovation clusters. Furthermore, I plan to operationalize the information retrieval and processing enabling analyses in real-time.

Chiara Ullstein: Participatory Auditing (in cooperation with Audit.EU)

The EU AI Act posits that providers (management and developers) of high-risk AI systems have to undergo conformity assessment. The conformity assessment encompasses several measures that are supposed to corroborate that a system is legally compliant, technically robust, and ethically sound, and can be considered ‘trustworthy AI’. The project ‘participatory auditing’ aims to contribute to the project Audit.EU (1) by exploring how companies can leverage their learnings from established compliance practices such as for the GDPR and (2) by proposing participation as an approach to source AI Act compliance-relevant information from suitable stakeholders to increase inclusivity and mitigate risks of discrimination. Participation is considered to enhance the process of achieving compliance through a comprehensive testing and feedback process. Based on learnings from established compliance measures, a framework for performing auditing in a participatory manner and in accordance with the EU AI Act will be developed and evaluated. The primary goal of the framework is to serve developer teams as a guideline.

Niklas Wais: Law & AI: Navigating the Intersection

Most areas of law that should in principle be relevant for AI currently leave many intersectional questions unanswered. The reason for these open questions is that jurisprudence cannot pursue its task of incorporating AI into the existing dogmatics because it lacks sufficient technological understanding. At the same time, developers lack knowledge of the law and therefore only base their design decisions on performance, but not compliance with e.g. data protection or anti-discrimination law. Although students from various professional backgrounds want to learn more about the underlying interface issues, truly interdisciplinary educational material is missing. My project will address this and transform the rare specialist expertise that currently only exists at TUM into a freely available online course. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between law and technology and sharing cutting-edge knowledge as effectively as possible, the project seeks to promote the responsible use of AI for the benefit of society.

The Urban Digitainability Lab (UDL) combines digitalisation and sustainability in urban areas in order to ensure sustainable local services of general interest. To this end, the TUM Think Tank is creating an interdisciplinary space for experimentation and collaboration in which scientists and practitioners from politics, business and civil society can develop solutions for sustainable digital urban development. The UDL aims to strengthen the transformation capacity of municipal administrations through innovative networking, training and transfer formats.

We are currently looking for one student assistant for each of the following four areas of responsibility:

Find detailed role descriptions and further information on the application process (in German) through the button below.

Job Offers

Apply by July 8th, preferably via email at tumthinktank@hfp.tum.de, and join the vibrant TUM Think Tank community. We look forward to meeting you!

For any questions, please contact Felix Beer, Project Coordinator of the Urban Digitainability Lab, at felix.beer@hfp.tum.de

This project at the TUM Think Tank is supported by Stiftung Mercator under their "Digitalisierte Gesellschaft" section.

How can we make abstract technologies such as quantum technologies tangible?

At first glance, art and technology may seem to be separate fields. However, new technologies often inspire creativity in the arts and continually expand its horizons. Moreover, art offers unique and sometimes surprising perspectives on technological advances, revealing the deep connection between the two.

At the QuantWorld project, we firmly believe that art can serve as a translator to make the often elusive concepts of quantum technologies and their impact on our everyday lives tangible and that a holistic approach including thoughts of responsibility and consciousness can improve further developments.

This is the reason for our decision to include artistic interventions and artists prominently in the project.

We are excited to work with a group of remarkable artists whose artistic interventions bring a unique perspective to the abstract world of quantum technologies. It is our belief that, through this creative approach, the transformative power of these new technologies can be understood and experienced by everyone.

In our mission to forge innovative paths at the intersection of art and technology, we are also proud to partner up with MATTER and the XR Hub Bavaria. With MATTER, we are developing a unique framework for artistic interventions, while the XR Hub Bavaria helps us bring art to life through immersive extended reality (XR) formats.

Meet our artists

Patrik Hübner

Photo Credit: Larissa Lenze

As a programming designer and creative director, Patrik Hübner has been working at the intersection of brand communication and technology for over 15 years. Working in traditional design for years, he discovered generative design in 2014 and became one of the few individuals to have successfully established this seamless blend of art, design and data into cohesive and compelling design systems and narratives on an international level. Today, he works as a generative designer with international brands, agencies and cultural institutions. As a lecturer at universities, he teaches on the topic of generative design, is a regular keynote speaker and gives workshops.

His clients include Landor & Fitch, Interbrand, Serviceplan, Wieden+Kennedy, The New York Times, Evian and Lexus. Patrik has given talks at Deutsche Telekom, IBM, Publicis, The Atlantic, universities and at events such as re:publica Berlin and Dutch Design Week. Since 2018, his generative work has won over 30 awards, including the ADC Award, the European Design Award, the German Design Award, the D&ADAward, the World Brand Design Award and many more.

https://www.patrik-huebner.com/

 

 

Why did you become part of the QuantWorld project?

“To me, art can act as a mediator and translator of complex technological concepts into comprehensible, engaging experiences that can be more easily digested by both individuals and the society as a whole. In this context, my work in the field of generative design – rooted in the interplay of algorithms and human creativity – can surface new perspectives by contributing computational systems that create forms or experiences which react and adapt over time. If used in the context of tangible and emotionally relevant expressions, this approach can spark new conversations within our society about possible and desirable futures as well as ethical considerations of quantum technologies. This process of interaction between design, technology, and societal feedback loops is integral to fostering an informed community that can adapt to and influence technological evolution.

This project is a profound opportunity for personal and professional growth, allowing me to delve deeper into the convergence of art, technology, and design through the lense of quantum technologies. Generative design's systematic, iterative approach – where outcomes evolve through ongoing adaptation and feedback – is a powerful metaphor for my own learning and creative evolution throughout this endeavor.

My artistic and design explorations are significantly shaped by the interplay of technology, data, and human creativity. In this process, I engage with creative coding and generative design as enablers for co-creation, where technology acts not merely as a tool, but as a creative partner. This partnership involves setting initial conditions and rules within which the technology operates—creating an environment where art and design can evolve dynamically and unpredictably in the context of a given topic. The concept of co-creation here is vital; it underlines the collaborative nature of my work where human creativity and machine capabilities complement each other, enabling the creation of complex, adaptive works that respond to and reflect our environment in a contemporary digital landscape. This approach challenges traditional notions of art and design and invites a broader dialogue about the integration of systemic design, data and artificial intelligence in creative expression, ultimately enhancing the depth and breadth of what can be achieved through art​ and design.

I truly hope to sculpt narratives that illuminate the opaque world of quantum technologies. By transforming abstract concepts into engaging and interactive experiences, this could grant visibility to the arcane processes and (for now) mostly hidden impact of quantum technologies. I believe that a simple depiction of these technologies and their underlying principles is not enough for society to really engage with the complex implications of quantum technologies. So I will work towards forging deeper connections between society and the elusive topic of quantum. By creating stories that are not static but rather evolve and adapt, echoing the interplay of nature, quantum technologies, us as individuals and society itself. I believe it is import to balance simplicity and depth to provoke contemplations on how these technologies might weave into the fabric of our daily lives.”

Anne Kristin Kristiansen

Photo Credit: Sarah Gerats

Anne Kristin is a German-Danish artist, educator and scholar based in the Munich area. Born in Riad, Saudi Arabia, she received her formation in Fine Arts and philosophy in Essen and Witten-H

erdecke, the Ècole nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, Paris and The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, where she earned her Master’s Degree. Anne Kristin’s work is abstract minimalist and spans sculptures, prints and installations. Her work was displayed, among other places, at Kunsthalle Dortmunder U, Dortmund; KH7, Århus; Kunsthalle Recklinghausen, Recklinghausen; and Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf. Anne Kristin was an artist in residence for example at Statens Værksteder for Kunst, Copenhagen; the sailing expedition ‘The Arctic Circle’; Kiev, Ukraine; and El Bruc, Catalonia. Anne Kristin is pursuing a PhD in philosophy and is also a co-founder of the queer-feminist bookstore glitch in Munich.

http://annekristinkristiansen.com

 

 

 

Why did you become part of the QuantWorld project?

“Art and science have gone hand in hand for many centuries, inspiring futures from different vantage points. Both are ways of conceiving better worlds, and both regularly reflect present concerns and aspirations.

Second generation quantum technologies are extremely interesting to me because of the state of “fragile coherence” they depend on, and the transformative potential that can ensue from such seeming fragility. Personally, I hope to immerse myself in new forms of knowledge creation and exchange in a lively community that can combine scientific, educational, artistic and public aspects.

My own art has a lot to do with translation, and I hope to produce various forms of translations between people, materials and ideas as part of this journey. “

Solimán López

Photo Credit: SLS Studio

Solimán López is a conceptual artist in new media with a focus on biotechnology, artificial intelligence, digital art, and interactivity. He founded the Harddiskmuseum in 2015, introduced the biotoken OLEA, and initiated the Manifesto Terricola movement. His work has been showcased in over 20 countries, spanning museums, festivals, art centers, and galleries. Additionally, his research has been disseminated in universities across more than 20 countries.

https://solimanlopez.com/

 

Why did you become part of the QuantWorld project?

“I strongly believe that Quantum Computing is a game changer in society, and that the major challenges of our current world have always been addressed by art in the first instance. This is my primary interest in the project: exploring how we can approach this new technology from a critical and analytical perspective, and examining how it could reshape our understanding of art, its production, and the societal implications of the information age.

I am deeply fascinated by the concepts underlying the quantum world, and I also believe that a better and more profound understanding of this technology will aid humanity in comprehending the origins of our species and ourselves. However, we must be mindful to "curate" how society utilizes this powerful tool. Any technology devoid of consciousness can become a weapon, so it is crucial to analyze all the dimensions involved in the dissemination of new ideas and concepts related to this advancement.

I hold hope that, through our collective efforts in the QuantumWorld project, we will collectively attain the expertise necessary to maintain this critical perspective and overview, to be applied creatively, thereby redefining art concepts and adding social value in the process.

Personally, I am incredibly curious to see where this journey will lead us and how my background in art will respond to this new knowledge. My ultimate goal is to delve into the most intriguing aspects of human nature and its relationship with society, envisioning a new and improved future where technology assists humans in overcoming challenges and elevating our levels of consciousness, fostering connections with others and with nature at large.”

Benjamin Nott

Benjamin Nott is a South African architect. He helps people create meaningful spaces and places to share stories and memories.  He has been practising architecture for over 20 years. With his wife and partner, they have co-founded:

Blanco Architecture & Design, in 2008; Humanitas |Living Innovation Laboratory, Ticino in 2019 as a multi-disciplinary next-practise case-study for the future of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction Industry. This project has won Horizon Europe and Innosuisse Flagship funding; and

BlancoLAB Virtual Production Studios in 2022, a multidisciplinary team of storytellers that create and curate immersive gamified experiences. BlancoLAB has worked with Siemens, Lucid, Moth Quantum and is working on the research projects; “Quantworld” with TUM School of Social Science and Technology and Fraunhofer AISEC,and the “Resilient-Hydro-Twin” project with TU Delft, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the Eindhoven University of Technology.

Ben is the co-founder of ZERO Construct - https://zeroconstruct.com/ , is a board member of [y]our2040 - https://your2040.com/ , sits on the advisory council of Puzzle X - https://www.puzzlex.io/ , is a thought leader on the “Brains trust” created by the Innovation Foundation powered by the Adecco Group and is a member of Degrowth Switzerland.

His home and studio have been in Valle di Blenio, Ticino in the Swiss Alpssince 2010. He is a man of the sciences, arts and humanities. Architecture for him is an embodiment of all three. Benjamin loves mountain sports, he is a voracious reader and has an appreciation for music, dance, and art. Above anything else he loves an interesting conversation. He brings passion, commitment, and dedication to his projects to make them relevant. He has often been called a “thinking doer.”

https://www.blanco-ad.ch/

 

Why did you become part of the QuantWorld project?

“I liked the people in the project and the storyline presented to me at the first moment of listening. I loved the fact that there was the willingness to dream and be a little ambitious.

That space between technology and the user is one of the most exciting and daunting places to be. Do you approach it with a tech mindset, or do you approach it with a end-users mindset? I feel the arts have always allowed us to bridge this gap. The impressionists tried to capture the scientific concepts of space and time through painting and Pixar has used technology to drive new media art forms whilst also creating new technologies to express new art forms that have become ubiquitous in our society today.

I wanted BlancoLAB to be a part of this creative bridging and the bringing of people together in a positive manner.”

Meet our partners MATTER and XR Hub Bavaria

XR Hub Bavaria

The XR HUB Bavaria is an initiative to strengthen Bavaria as a media and business location and is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs. The project has three locations: XR HUB Munich, XR HUB Nuremberg and XR HUB Würzburg. All HUBs deal with issues relating to XR technologies and their numerous applications.

The XR HUB Bavaria in Munich connects the players in the XR community in Bavaria and beyond with entrepreneurs and people who are curious or want to know how XR will change their working and living environment. It drives the development and dissemination of XR applications, links expertise and promotes the transfer of knowledge and exchange of experience between research & development, industry and the cultural and creative sectors.

https://xrhub-bavaria.de/

Silke Schmidt, Head of XR Hub Bavaria in Munich

“The XR Hub Bavaria is happy to support the QuantWorld-Project. We are looking forward to the ideas of the artists how to visualize and experience information about quantum computers and their applications etc. with XR-technologies. We will support the project with our knowledge, network, equipment, events and communication measures.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

MATTER

MATTER is an international Think Tank and Public-Benefit initiative focused on using Exponential Technologies to help solve some of humanity's most pressing challenges. One of its initiatives is PUZZLE X -  the world's leading forum for Exponential Technologies & Deep Science for the Future. Supported by the government of Spain, the Generalitat of Catalonia and Barcelona city hall, PUZZLE X 23 convened over 3,000 stakeholders from 64 countries and 52% decision-makers.

More than an event, PUZZLE X is an ecosystem activator and a global agenda-shaping forum, bringing the world's most powerful voices — industry leaders, scientific luminaries, Nobel Laureates, technologists, and policymakers to reveal the power of exponential technology and deep science. It is a catalyst for collaborative initiatives and projects, such as the Quantum Symphony of Biology, Biowaves— storing memories inside DNA, and hbar & the world’s first quantum bartender.

PUZZLE X and MATTER, in partnership with IYQ (International Year of Quantum), launched an Open Letter to encourage the UN to proclaim 2025 as the International Year of Quantum. In November 2023, the first gathering of key quantum stakeholders and Quantum Collective took place at PUZZLE X in Barcelona and showcased the commitment of the global quantum ecosystem for the declaration of IYQ2025. On June 7, 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

In 2024, from the creators of PUZZLE X, comes another experience merging deep science and global thought. XPANSE, the world's first visioning of the future of exponential technology, will take place in Abu Dhabi on November 20–22 and will serve as a driving force for exponential fields such as quantum computing, genomics, synthetic intelligence, next-generation materials, brain-machine interfaces, and fusion energy.

https://www.puzzlex.io/, https://www.xpanse.world/

Zina Cinker, Director General at MATTER

“Quantum is the way the universe expresses itself, while art is the way humans do. Connecting the governing rules of the universe with creative minds creates a new sense of experience for exponential technologies. PUZZLE X and XPANSE, initiatives of MATTER, support and give platforms to transformative projects, like QuantWorld, where visionary thinkers and decision-makers from different fields connect and explore the potential of exponential technology and future, today.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are very happy to have this blend of creative minds on board for the QuantWorld project and look forward to what they will be creating together with us!

Quantum technologies will potentially transform whole industries, create new markets, and push the boundaries of our imagination. These transformations will include new, highly secure, and fast ways of communication and powerful quantum computers that can solve problems we currently cannot solve because of the computational limits of today's supercomputers.

However, with these revolutionary technologies come new challenges for society. The Quantum Social Lab's mission is to research the societal, ethical, political, and legal challenges of tomorrow's quantum world.

To tackle these questions, we count on interdisciplinary and highly motivated teams and future generations. To accomplish this mission, we created a scholarship program, the Young Quantum Social Scientists, a collaboration between the TUM Think Tank and the QuantWorld Project. Each cohort consists of up to 20 students who can put their theoretical knowledge to use by addressing real-world problems.

Out of over 50 applications from study programs all over Munich's universities, we chose six of the brightest minds. Our first cohort of Young Quantum Social Scientists originates from six different nations, pursuing studies in various fields from Psychology, Politics, and Technology to Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics!

We are pleased to introduce our incredibly talented first cohort of Young Quantum Social Scientists.

Alexander Orlov

Alexander Orlov is a double degree student of Quantum Science and Technology (M.Sc. at TUM/LMU) and Political Science (B.Sc. at TUM). He is particularly interested in translating cutting-edge scientific findings into actionable and socially beneficial insights.

Why did you become a YQSS?

Quantum Technologies have the potential to have a profound impact on our society. I joined the YQSS program to learn how we can initiate responsible quantum innovation and ensure a globally positive impact of quantum tech. Plus, the societal perspective is a super valuable add-on to the technical point of view from my university studies.

Favorite part of being a YQSS

I really enjoy working together with my fellow YQSS. We come from different study backgrounds, but we share the fascination for quantum tech and the commitment to make a difference.

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

We have been involved in several events already, with partners from business, politics and research. It is really interesting how differently these groups think about and approach quantum technologies.

 

Eden Castaneira Rios

Eden Castaneira Rios has studied Actuarial Science and is now pursuing a master’s degree in Politics and Technology. He is interdisciplinary and implementation driven and has deep experience and interest in pairing up society, politics, business and technology.

Why did you become a YQSS?

I became a YQSS because I am passionate about showcasing and driving innovative developments that make use of quantum science as enablers of the greater good. I am interested in building useful interdisciplinary frameworks and addressing societal questions to enable the development of responsible, efficient, and implementable quantum technologies.

Favorite part of being a YQSS

The program has such a great and talented team, the work is fun, challenging but also useful!

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

Quantum technologies are as unstable as life gets, so we should not be scared about it. We are already living under its rules.

 

Ekin Arslan

Ekin Arslan is a Master's student in psychology focused on learning sciences. He is passionate about understanding the human mind and values teamwork and communication. His interests span psychology, technology, and politics, aiming to enhance organizational achievement and explore the impact of psychology on quantum technologies and policies.

Why did you become a YQSS?

I became a YQSS to explore other research areas rather than psychology, but at the same time use my knowledge to a field unknown.

Favorite part of being a YQSS

My favorite part of working at YQSS is being part of such an incredible team; the friendliness, support, and shared passion for our work make every day both enjoyable and fulfilling.

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

Working at YQSS has significantly enhanced my understanding of quantum policies and their transformative impact on technology and society. This experience has also provided valuable insights into the psychological effects of these advancements, highlighting how they can redefine social structures, especially broadening my views on how to look at the world as a psychologist.

 

Jerry Miller

Hailing from Canada, Jerry Miller is a Master of Politics and Technology student at the Technical University of Munich, specializing in Data & Society. He is fascinated by all things technology and how innovation can reshape political landscapes.

Why did you become a YQSS?

I joined the YQSS to explore the profound societal and ethical implications of second generation (and beyond!) quantum technologies. I aim to contribute to informed policy-making decisions and help shape public understanding of quantum technologies.

Favorite part of being a YQSS

The best part of joining the Young Quantum Social Scientists is the team: I have an incredible time learning from my fellow students and I always feel supported by the lab's leadership in continuing my learning journey.

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

There are no easy answers in the quantum world.

 

 

Nuria Quesada Perez

Nuria Quesada Perez is currently studying Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics at the TUM. She has always been passionate about research in the medical field but she also enjoys learning about completely unrelated study areas. She is an active and curious person, always looking forward to getting to know new people and hobbies.

Why did you become a YQSS?

Quantum mechanics has always been a background topic throughout my studies, but I have never been actually involved in its world.  Moreover, I have never had the opportunity to participate in anything related to political sciences. Being a YQSS has brought me the opportunity to combine these two interesting fields and be part of an interdisciplinary project in which people with different backgrounds help me extend my knowledge while having a joyful experience.

Favorite part of being a YQSS

I really enjoy spending time with the team and we are offered a broad range of opportunities to take part in events and seminars that I wouldn't be aware of if I wasn't a YQSS.

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

Basics of Quantum Technology, the impact that Quantum technologies are having nowadays and the consequent technological evolution that is needed, how to coordinate different teams within the same project, etc.

 

Rowan Crawford

Rowan Crawford is a Political Science student at the Technical University of Munich. He works as a student research assistant at the TUM School of Governance and the TUM School of Management. He is particularly interested in the development and governance of emerging technologies and economic and global justice.

Why did you become a YQSS?

I joined the YQSS to work at the intersection of emerging technologies and governance. I am fascinated by quantum technologies and believe their development has massive transformative implications for science, economy, and society. As a member of the YQSS, I can research this interdisciplinary and cutting-edge field as it unfolds "in real-time."

Favorite part of being a YQSS

My favorite part of being a YQSS is working with and observing some of the brightest minds in quantum technology, economy, and social sciences. I am grateful to be a part of such an impressive research network.

Something interesting or valuable you have learned so far

During my time as a YQSS, I have been able to improve my stakeholder management skills, especially in a research context.

 

Are you curious to become a Young Quantum Social Scientist yourself?

Stay tuned as our new application phase for the scholarship program is starting soon!

Are you a passionate informatics student eager to contribute to an innovative learning platform? The Quantum Social Lab is looking for informatics students to do their interdisciplinary project (IDP) within our flagship project QuantWorld.

About the project

The aim of the project is to impart knowledge of quantum technologies 2.0 to target groups and to make them tangible. For this purpose, the module-based QuantWorld learning platform with certification options meets people in their respective living and working environments. The focus is on the living environments of mobility, banking and medicine.

In this project you work on the following topics:

Your benefits

More information

Requirements

Interested in becoming part of the QuantWorld-project?

For questions and registration, please contact Alisha Ogidan.

Data Studies and Ethical Data Work – Two positions available

The Ethical Data Initiative at the chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology (est. September 2024) of Prof. Sabina Leonelli is a global coordinating hub for research on data ethics and related education and policy activities. We are looking forward to collaborate with a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who shares our deep interest in exploring educational, social, and governance issues that emerge in the context of working with data (both within and beyond the realm of scientific research), as well as possible future scenarios and applications particularly in relation to Artificial Intelligence.
We are looking for fellows with a background in policy, governance or data science and a strong interest in data studies and practical applications.

We are a very interdisciplinary team and world-leading expertise in the philosophy, history and social studies of data, data ethics and the governance of data and AI. We invite the researcher taking on this position under the chair of Philosophy and History of Science and Technology to become a core contributor to the Ethical Data Initiative.

About the Ethical Data Initiative at the TUM Think Tank

The Ethical Data Initiative is a global coordinating hub for research on data ethics and related education and policy activities. It brings together a network of relevant partners with the aim to scale up available resources to foster just, ethical and responsible data production, trading, processing and use around the world. We are particularly interested in developing training resources and governance models for under-resourced parts of society, including research institutions as well as small and medium enterprises, civil society organizations, social services, public administrations and other public bodies – which do crucial data work across the globe yet do not typically have in-house resources to develop skills in responsible data management.

What we offer:

Application

We look forward to receiving your application by 1st of April 2024!
We will review applications on a continuous basis thus, they should be submitted as early as possible via e-mail to: tumthinktank@hfp.tum.de

Learn more and apply here.

The Urban Digitainability Lab aims to integrate digitalization and sustainability in urban spaces in order to shape sustainable urban services of general interest. It addresses the challenge that, despite the existing calls for such integration, a common understanding and effective concepts for combining sustainability and digitalization only exist in rudimentary form. The project plans to address this shortcoming by creating a community of practice, training opportunities and a catalog of criteria for measuring success. In addition, the exchange between science and practice is to be strengthened in order to develop innovative and sustainable solutions in the areas of "mobility", "housing" and "health".

We are excited to be building the team and are looking for three positions.

Find the role descriptions and more information on the application process (in German) through the button below.

Job Offers

Apply by April 2 and become part of the vibrant TUM Think Tank community. We are looking forward to meeting you!

The Stiftung Mercator supports this project at the TUM Think Tank in their section „Digitalisierte Gesellschaft“ for the duration of  three years.

The research project "Using AI to Increase Resilience against Toxicity in Online Entertainment (ToxicAInment)", by Prof. Dr. Yannis Theocharis (Chair of Digital Governance), funded by the Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (BIDT), explores the spread of extremist, conspiratorial and misleading content on social media, investigating how this content is embedded through entertaining content. It aims to deepen the understanding of the impact of this content on user behavior by combining entertainment theories, visual communication and toxic language with AI methods. This project makes an important contribution to analyzing and combating online toxicity. More information can be found on the project page or in the BIDT press release.

 

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