Research with purpose.
Action with impact.
Outcomes that matter.

Outputs

Our contributions to a systems update

We advance the discourse on Public Interest Technology by introducing innovative impulses and developing new perspectives that we embed directly into societal structures. By raising awareness of opportunities and risks, imparting essential knowledge, and providing targeted support to all stakeholders, we ensure that this guiding “code” continues to drive societal agendas and decision-making processes.

Publication

The European Way: A blueprint for reclaiming our digital future

This policy paper is a call for Europe to reclaim its digital future. Directed in particular at the EU Institutions and the new German government, it has three core objectives: (a) to appeal to decision makers to seize the moment and finally mitigate the EU’s excessive and unilateral technology dependencies; (b) to articulate a coherent, values- driven digital policy vision — the ‘European Way’ — that aligns innovation, competitiveness, and democratic principles; and (c) to propose six larger reform packages that translate this vision into concrete actions across the entire technology stack, from digital infrastructure and single market integration to geopolitics, good governance, energy supply, and digital talent as well as skills.

04. Jun 2025

Digital twins in German cities

How can Urban Digital Twins (UDTs) accelerate the sustainable transformation of German cities?
The Urban Digitainability Lab at the TUM Think Tank has examined 34 use cases of Urban Digital Twins in Germany and summarized key findings in a new research brief.

02. Jun 2025

Publication

Artificial intelligence for sustainable urban development

The AI Canvas is a tool for exploring the potential of AI use cases in municipal ecosystems. A structured approach makes it possible to systematically develop and evaluate use cases based on their goal orientation, suitability, and feasibility. An accompanying guide provides methodological and theoretical support for the practical application of the tool.

28. May 2025

Recap

Status Quo Report

How can the impact of digital measures in the MPSC cities be measured - and what is needed for sustainable continuation after the end of funding?

10. May 2025

Noteworthy

The role of genAI during the 'super election year' 2024

A new report by Dr. Amélie Hennemann-Heldt examines the nuanced impact of generative AI in elections, highlighting both risks and opportunities. While concerns over AI-driven interference were high in 2024, real-world events suggest a more balanced reality. GenAI can amplify disinformation but also enhance political engagement and accessibility. Regulatory gaps remain, focusing more on risks than ethical applications.

18. Feb 2025

Publication

Global Survey shows Rejection of Unrestricted Freedom of Expression

Most people support restricting harmful content on social media, even in countries leaning toward unrestricted free speech. However, many believe online intolerance and hatred are unavoidable. A global survey by the Content Moderation Lab at the TUM Think Tank and the University of Oxford reveals varying attitudes across ten countries.

10. Feb 2025

Annual Report

Annual Report 2024

Read the TUM Think Tank's Annual Report 2024

31. Dec 2024

Publication

Summaries Now Available!

The Psychology Impact Assessment for Interactional Systems (PSAIS) project, led by Auxane Boch under the Friedrich Schiedel Fellowship at the TUM Think Tank and TUM HfP, has successfully completed its first phase with workshops across Europe, North America, and Oceania. Hosted by the TUM Institute for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (TUM IEAI), these sessions brought together experts from diverse disciplines to explore interactional systems' psychological impacts and develop a preliminary framework for assessment.

19. Dec 2024

Noteworthy

A student blogpost by Anushruti Kukreja

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, ended with climate finance taking center stage. With developing nations facing the dual challenges of climate-related disasters and the urgent transition to renewable energy, the debate over financial commitments has never been more critical. Anushruti Kukreja writes on her impressions on COP29 and the steps needed to bridge the climate finance gap.

02. Dec 2024

Noteworthy

An artful approach to quantum applications in medicine

As part of the seminar “Quantum Social Lab: Art-Driven Innovation with Quantum Technologies” in cooperation with XPANSE, students of different disciplines developed projects showcasing challenges regarding quantum technologies and transferring them into art projects. One project was chosen to be part of XPANSE. This year's winner pitch has been the “Medical Quantum Wonderland”, an Alice in Wonderland inspired installation that playfully conveys how quantum properties can be leveraged for tumor detection and creates a broader vision of quantum applications for the future of medicine.

19. Nov 2024

Publication

How excess profits from oil and gas could contribute to climate payments

A central issue at the UN Climate Change Conference, set to start on November 11, will be the negotiations on new payments from industrialized nations to poorer countries. However, the question of whether and how these payments will be financed remains highly controversial. The study by an international team of researchers has now revealed: The windfall profits alone taken in by oil and gas companies due to the 2022 energy crisis would have been sufficient to cover the existing commitments of the industrialized nations for nearly five years. The researchers therefore recommend collecting taxes on these so-called windfall profits from fossil fuels.

11. Nov 2024