News / Recap
TUM Think Tank x Hertie-School – Course: Governance and Regulation – Setting the Right Framework
The “Governance and Regulation – Setting the Right Framework” module marked the ambitious conclusion of the first cohort of the “AI & Data Science for Public Administration” certificate program. Over three intensive in-person days from April 2 to 4, participants delved deeply into the regulatory, ethical, and organizational issues that are essential for the responsible use of data and artificial intelligence in the public sector.
The program began with the “Data: Law and Governance” segment, which explored the global regulatory landscape, the principles of data governance, and EU-specific legal frameworks such as the Data Governance Act, the Data Act, and the GDPR. Hands-on mini-workshops on risk analysis demonstrated how to implement data protection compliance, bias prevention, and risk mitigation in practice.
The second day focused on “AI: Law and Governance”. In addition to providing an overview of international regulatory approaches, the EU AI Act took center stage—from its risk-based system and regulatory sandboxes to the specific challenges of generative AI. Using practical case studies, participants developed strategies for trustworthy AI in public administration and, in workshop sessions, analyzed current risks and compliance requirements.
The final day addressed the future of AI governance: from developing impact assessments and practical governance models to innovative steering tools such as policy clinics and sandboxes, as well as the use of AI in governance tasks. External experts contributed additional perspectives from politics, administration, and international organizations.
The certificate program—conducted in cooperation with the GovTech Campus Germany, the Oxford Internet Institute, the TUM Think Tank, and the Hertie School’s research centers—targets senior officials from federal, state, and municipal administrations who want not only to understand AI but also to apply it actively, strategically, and responsibly. Thanks to the support of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, participation is free of charge.
Following a successful inaugural year, the program is now entering its second round. Applications for the upcoming cohort of up to 25 participants are open until June 15, 2025—an opportunity for decision-makers to help shape the digital public administration of tomorrow.
