Ethics is not just an academic discipline—it is a concern for everyone. Moreover, technology is not an inevitable force but a series of choices made by societies. We therefore believe that meaningful engagement with diverse stakeholders is essential, not only to achieve the best possible outcomes but also to ensure the legitimacy of technological decisions. Public input enriches our research, and by listening to citizens' perspectives, we help shape technology in ways that are fair, transparent, and accountable.

Ethics by Design: Open Learning for Public Debate

To broaden access to ethical discussions in AI, we offer parts of our research in a free online course through the Hamburg Open Online University. The "Ethics by Design" project explores how ethics should not be an afterthought but an integral part of AI development, from conception to real-world application. This initiative supports public debate on AI ethics and provides us with valuable feedback from a wider audience, strengthening the dialogue between research and society.

Public Engagement through Media

We also actively contribute to ethical discussions in the public sphere through media platforms, including the following.

• Podcast: Trust Issues – In a new episode, Maximilian Kiener discusses the increasing influence of AI, the scaling back of ethics teams in tech companies, and how we can address responsibility gaps. Listen here!
• Featured Article in Tagesspiegel on key ethical challenges in AI governance and technology policy.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Art and Ethics

Part of our profile is to use media and art as a space for ethical reflection in society. We therefore collaborate with artists and interdisciplinary groups to explore the ethical implications of AI in innovative ways. In the past, this included the "Beyond Tomorrow" Exhibition (A.I. Collective) where Maximilian Kiener contributed a video on AI ethics and responsibility, exhibited alongside works on digital identities and sustainability.