The Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) investigates scientific and technological developments with a focus on their impacts and possible systemic and unintended effects. It produces analytical knowledge and assessments of socio-technical developments in order to provide policy and design options for decision-makers. The research covers ethical, ecological, economic, social, political-institutional, and cultural questions. Major goals are advice for research and technology policy, provision of knowledge for the design of socio-technical systems, and the organization and observation of discursive processes on open and controversial questions of technology policy.
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NEWS
Risks of discrimination by algorithms
On behalf of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, ITAS investigates reasons, types, and dimensions of discrimination risks by the increasing use of digital algorithms. Also in the focus: options for action for an increased “algorithmic accountability”.
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Real-world lab community meets in Karlsruhe
On 27 April 2018, the real-world labs funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MKW) present their results. Among them and co-organizer of the symposium: the ITAS Urban Transition Lab 131.
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Thematic evening “ZUKUNFT. ENERGIE. WENDE”
On Thursday, 12. April 2018, at 6 p.m. the next session of the ITAS series of events technik.kontrovers will take place. Scientists and the audience will discuss about the design of the energy system of the future.
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TATuP “Theory of TA reloaded”
How should TA position itself as a research program that also provides policy advice? Issue 1/2018 of the Journal of Technology Assessment in Theory and Practice wants to give new impetus to the debate on theory formation.
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White Paper on Digital Sovereignty
Digital security gaps affect citizens as well as companies and governments. A group of IT security experts with Arnd Weber from ITAS pleads for the use of verified open source products in all the steps of the supply chain.
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