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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Robotics and Work: The future today
ITAS robotics expert António Brandão Moniz analyses the actual relation between employment and technology. By taking the example of Portugal he examines ethical, legal and social aspects of the ongoing process of automatization.
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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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