TA Data Lab

The working areas of the TA Data Lab
Figure 1: The three work areas of the TA Data Lab
Die Arbeitsbereiche des TA Data Labs
Abbildung 1: Die drei Arbeitsbereiche des TA Data Lab

The TA Data Lab brings together activities related to data science and technology assessment (TA) within the research group Digital Technologies and Societal Change (DigIT). It aims to expand existing TA practices through the concrete application of data-driven methods in ongoing research projects and the reflection on the responsible use of digital technologies in the research and advisory process. In the field of scientific policy advice, the lab also contributes to foresight activities and communication formats at the interface of TA to society and politics.

The lab’s activities can be divided into three areas (see Figure 1): (1) Research on data science for TA, (2) methodological support and capacity building, and (3) interface to society and politics. On the one hand, the Data Lab participates directly in ITAS research projects, such as DiTraRe and C2CBridge. On the other hand, it investigates activities across projects related to qualitative social research within the framework of data science pilot projects. Finally, the digital transformation of research with regard to specific issues in technology assessment is also the subject of separate research projects (in development).

Joint activities are also carried out with the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB). These include the development of practices for the responsible use of AI (“Generative AI and parliamentary TA – How can responsible use be achieved?”) as well as the implementation of and reflection on data-driven projects and pilot initiatives involving generative AI in the foresight process and in other processes of scientific policy advice (“Generative AI and parliamentary TA – between potential, practice, and reflection”).

Contact

TA Data Lab Team (strategy und concept)