15 January 2025. We are delighted to share that Maximilian Kiener, Head of the Institute for Ethics in Technology, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of The Europaeum, a prestigious network of leading European universities. The Europaeum is dedicated to fostering collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and countries while addressing some of Europe’s most pressing challenges. Reflecting on the appointment, Maximilian shared:

"My journey with The Europaeum began as part of the inaugural cohort of the Europaeum Scholars Programme (ESP). This flagship initiative—a two-year policy and leadership course taken alongside a doctorate—remains one of the most formative experiences of my career. Through its seminars with leading academics and practitioners, professional skills training, and team-based problem-solving on critical European issues, the ESP gave me both the tools and the inspiration to think boldly about how to make a meaningful impact."

Maximilian will work alongside his fellow trustees Lord Chris Patten, Professor José Manuel Barroso, Andrienne d'Arenberg, Professor Isabel Capeloa Gil, Dr Andrew Graham, Margaret Jay Baroness Jay of Paddington, Pascal Lamy, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Professor Marie Laure Salles, and Professor Wim van den Doel.

09 December 2024. We are excited to announce our new partnership with the Oxford Artificial Intelligence Society (OxAI). Embedded in the University of Oxford, OxAI is dedicated to ensuring that AI benefits society as a whole. As a core initiative, OxAI Labs is a student-driven research programme focused on advancing this mission through innovative and impactful AI research. In collaboration with OxAI, we are offering a unique opportunity for one student from TUHH to participate in an OxAI Labs project. Applications are now open! Past OxAI Labs projects have resulted in publications in prestigious venues such as NeurIPS, ACL, and other high-impact conferences.

The application deadline is 17 December 2024. Due to the short timeframe, the application process is designed to be quick and straightforward.

For more details, please refer to this information document. For any questions, contact Dr Jonas Bozenhard at jonas.bozenhard@tuhh.de 

09 December 2024. This year, Lina Jakubczick, Elisabeth Spiegl, and Lorenz Wiesmeier founded the "Blue Engineering" group as a student initiative at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH). We are proud to feature this exciting project as part of our institute. "Blue Engineering" is a nationwide organisation founded by students for students at TU Berlin. Its aim is to encourage engineering students to reflect on their actions through self-organised courses on social and ecological responsibility. Learn more: www.blue-engineering.org Thanks to funding from the Claussen-Simon Foundation, the group is offering its first seminar on “Ethical decision-making in career choices” this term. The team is also supported by Vyjayanthi Mala Perumal, who is helping to expand their network at TUHH and other universities. We believe this is an outstanding initiative that highlights the importance of student engagement in sustainability and ethical reflection.

We wish the group great success and far-reaching impact with their important work!

07 December 2024. The Institute for Ethics in Technology (Hamburg University of Technology) and the Institute for Media and Communication (University of Hamburg) invite submissions for the conference "Abschied von der Wirklichkeit? KI und die audiovisuellen Medien" on 23–24 September 2025. AI technologies like DALL-E have crossed the threshold of photorealistic image and film generation, transforming media production and our relationship with reality. This conference seeks to explore the profound implications of AI on media aesthetics, practices, and ethics. Key topics include: Ontologies and aesthetics of AI-generated visuals, Authorship and audience engagement in an era of AI-generated and personalised media, Ethical and legal challenges in AI-driven film production, the evolving role of media studies in understanding AI-generated media. You can find the detailed call for papers here (in German).

The conference language will be German.
Submission deadline: 15 February 2025
Send abstracts (max. 300 words) and a short bio (max. 150 words) to: oliver.schmidt@tuhh.de

Let’s critically reflect on AI’s potential and pitfalls in reshaping audiovisual culture!

30 November 2024. This semester, we’ve launched an exciting project: Together with the Institute for Media and Communication at the University of Hamburg, we are offering students from both universities the opportunity to explore new perspectives across disciplines and campuses. For the first time, 20 students from each institution can attend courses in media studies at the partner university and benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together ethics in technology and media studies, this dialogue highlights just how enriching it is to look beyond our own fields. The launch has been incredibly promising, and we’re excited to expand this partnership in the coming semesters. A special thanks to Prof. Thomas Weber from the University of Hamburg, whose commitment made this initiative possible. The Elbe River may separate us geographically, but that’s no barrier – only the sky is the limit!

We’re looking forward to seeing what our students will achieve through this unique connection in the semesters to come.

18 November 2024. It was a great honor for us at the Institute for Ethics in Technology to participate in the dialogue on the founding of the Responsible AI Alliance at Hamburg City Hall. The Responsible AI Alliance brings together leading Hamburg-based companies and academic institutions to promote the responsible development of AI. The event opened with introductory remarks by Senator Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Alois Krtil (ARIC), and Friedrich-Joachim Mehmel (LawCom.Institute). Afterward, our very own Maximilian Kiener delivered a powerful keynote on why ethics can be a key driver for technological innovation. The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Marina Tcharnetsky (ARIC), featuring Maximilian Kiener alongside Dr. Britta Leusing (Stifterverband), Linda Oldenburg (Nortal), and Dr. Sabine Schmidt (Otto Group). It became clear that responsible AI is a negotiation process in which ethics must play a central role.

01 October 2024. We are thrilled to announce that Jan Jeske and Leonardo Scunio, students at our institute, have both been awarded scholarships from the Deloitte-Stiftung! This is a fantastic recognition of their hard work, outstanding talent, and unwavering dedication.As part of the programme, they will receive: 500€ monthly financial support, exclusive access to networking events and talks, entry into the Deloitte Foundation Talent Community, personalised mentoring for their career development We couldn’t be prouder of Jan and Leonardo, and we’re excited to support them on their journey to shape the future of ethical tech innovation.
Keep up the great work – we’ll be cheering you on all the way! 👏

09 September 2024. The Institute for Ethics in Technology is excited to announce its membership in the Responsible AI Alliance, a partnership that unites leading companies such as Lufthansa, Otto, Airbus, and others, in close collaboration with academia. This initiative fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences across industries and sectors, aiming to promote the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. By bringing together expertise from business and research, the alliance seeks to develop scientifically rigorous proposals that meet ethical standards and are also feasible in real-world applications. This collaboration aligns with our institute's mission to engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse range of stakeholders.

08 August 2024. We are pleased to see the release of the book AI Morality, published by Oxford University Press. This insightful volume brings together leading philosophers to explore the ethical challenges that AI presents in various areas of life, including health, work, and identity. Edited by Edmonds, a bestselling author and co-creator of the Philosophy Bites podcast, the book offers accessible and stimulating insights for anyone concerned with the future of AI. Our own Maximilian Kiener contributed the chapter entitled "Cyber-Risks and Medical Ethics," where he examines the ethical implications of the increasing cyber-attacks on healthcare systems. Kiener discusses how AI's dual role as both a defensive tool and a potential threat challenges traditional biomedical ethics, highlighting the importance of principles like autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice in addressing these emerging risks. Get your copy here 

11 July 2024. Our institute's own Dr. Jonas Bozenhard recently delivered a keynote at the 4th International Conference of Possibility Studies at the University of Cambridge. The keynote, titled “AI-Powered Creativity and Radically New Possibilities in Art and Science”, explored AI’s potential for opening up radically new artistic and scientific possibilities. The interdisciplinary conference brought together experts from various domains, including academia, the arts, education, and technology, and facilitated insightful discussions on creativity, innovation, imagination, and AI.

18 June 2024. We are thrilled to share that "Trustworthy Public Communications" has just been released by the European Commission Joint Research Center. This report, led by Mario Scharfbillig and Laura Smillie, also features contributions from our Institute’s Prof Dr Maximilian Kiener at Hamburg University of Technology.

The report includes key insights on properly listening to citizens, carefully choosing and calibrating communication goals, and taking seriously the key principles from the ethics of influence.

Read the full report here: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC137725

16 June 2024. Our own Maximilian Kiener contributed a thought-provoking video on the ethics of AI to the "Beyond Tomorrow" exhibition by the A.I. Collective. Max’s video was part of a versatile arts exhibition and explores the role of responsibility in ensuring the sustainable use of AI. We greatly appreciate this collaboration with the A.I. Collective, which has been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the links between philosophy, art, and technology.

If you haven’t already, check out the work of the A.I. Collective (https://artistintelligence.org), an interdisciplinary group merging art, science, technology, and society to tackle critical issues like AI ethics, climate change, and digital identities.

27 May 2024. Today, we celebrated a significant achievement in our mission to combat climate change with the inauguration of the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗨𝗡𝗨) 𝗛𝘂𝗯 at Hamburg University of Technology. This strategic development deepens our commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhances our capacity for international collaboration and innovation.

We had inspiring conversations with
Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala チリツィ マルワラ [丸笑], the Rector of United Nations University and Under-Secretary General of the United Nations,
Prof. Kaveh Madani, Director of the The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), and
Dr. Sabine Becker-Thierry, Secretary of the UNU Council.

Our Institute for Ethics in Technology is dedicated to integrating ethical considerations into environmental strategies. By focusing on ethical frameworks, we aim to ensure that our technological innovations support not only environmental sustainability but also social equity. And we hope to continue our conversation with Prof Marwala on how to best integrate ethics into AI!.

Watch this space for further updates!

Press release: https://www.tuhh.de/tuhh/en/tu-hamburg/newsroom/translate-to-english-united-nations-university-hub-at-tuhh 

16 May 2024. We're excited to announce a new scholarship program for our students, in partnership with the Deloitte Foundation. This initiative aims to promote educational justice by supporting highly able students who have overcome significant obstacles to succeed. The scholarship provides financial aid and mentorship, empowering recipients to achieve their full academic potential and contribute positively to society. We are committed to fostering educational equity and supporting the next generation of leaders. The deadline is 30 June 2024. Check your eligibility here: https://www.deloitte-stiftung.de/home/studienstipendien 

25 April 2024. Our Institute organised a workshop on the topic of women in art and philosophy on Girls' Day 2024 at Hamburg University of Technology. Together with the students, we explored the history of important female artists from the Renaissance to contemporary art and looked at their unconventional lifestyles and their unique contributions to art. We not only looked at their works of art, but also at the challenges and difficulties they faced. In addition, we delved into the pioneering ideas of female philosophers who have shaped the history of thought from antiquity to the present. In this context, we particularly focused on ethics, existentialism, and feminism.

We would like to thank all participants for their interest and enthusiasm, it was great to discuss with the students!

17 April 2024. Today, we had a fantastic turnout at the inaugural lecture of Prof Dr Maximilian Kiener at Hamburg University of Technology. Max insightfully explained how ethical principles underpin the mathematical models used in reinforcement learning and highlighted the critical role of responsibility in effective human oversight. This event marks another significant contribution to our ongoing work on 'hashtag#ethics by design'. We were also delighted to welcome two esteemed colleagues from the University of Oxford, Prof. Dominic Wilkinson and Dr. Andrew Graham. A big thank you to everyone who joined us!

8th February 2024. Our very own student team #GridHarmony from Hamburg University of Technology achieved remarkable success in the #DigitalFutureChallenge hosted by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport in Berlin! 🏆

Securing third place in the finals, the team developed an app that leverages #AI to navigate skillfully through electricity shortages. This app ingeniously combines financial incentives with educational nudges, empowering users to conserve electricity and champion equitable, sustainable energy distribution. Most notably, the team pioneered an innovative fairness concept, aptly named #GRID, which establishes a new benchmark in inclusive energy management.

The team emerged from a seminar at our Institute for Ethics in Technology - TUHH, led by Prof Dr Maximilian Kiener and Dr. Jonas Bozenhard, and it was inspired by a real-world use case provided by Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH. 
 

7th February 2024. We are thrilled to announce that our team at the Institute for Ethics in Technology has been awarded funding for an innovative ECIU Challenge! (Find out more about ECIU here: https://www.eciu.eu) 

Our project, titled “Creativity and Artificial Intelligence,” is designed and will be delivered by Dr. Jonas Bozenhard. This unique course will explore the intersections of creativity and artificial intelligence, investigating how these two realms can enhance and transform each other.

Leveraging the ECIU University's pioneering approach to education, this course embodies the principles of Challenge-based Learning. Students, professionals, and stakeholders will collaborate on real-world challenges, fostering a learning environment where creativity and AI ethics converge to solve societal issues. Our aim is to not only educate but also to inspire innovative solutions that also prioritise ethical considerations in the development and application of AI technologies.

This funding marks a significant milestone for our institute and underscores our commitment to innovative teaching, research, and knowledge exchange. We are excited to embark on this journey with ECIU University, and we look forward to the impactful ideas and solutions that will emerge from this challenge.

Stay tuned for more updates as we progress with this new course!

15th January 2024. Three student teams from the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) participated in the semi-finals of the prestigious Digital Future Challenge, a university competition focused on Corporate Digital Responsibility. This event is organised by the Initiative D21 e. V. and the Deloitte Foundation, supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) and the Bertelsmann Foundation, with Federal Minister Dr. Volker Wissing serving as patron. The semi-finals took place in SAP's new office in Berlin.

Among a total of 54 submissions, ten teams advanced to the semi-finals, including three from TUHH. These student teams presented their ideas on responsible and sustainable use of Artificial Intelligence to a distinguished, interdisciplinary jury. All students from the three TUHH teams are currently enrolled in our Institute's "Ethics in Technology" seminar, led by Prof. Dr. Maximilian Kiener and Dr. Jonas Bozenhard.

Notably, the team GridHarmony has made it to the final round and will be competing in the finals in Berlin this February!

This achievement highlights the importance of integrating ethical considerations into technology and digital advancements. It's encouraging to see the next generation of technologists and ethicists coming together to address these crucial issues. Stay tuned for further updates on the team's progress and insights from the competition!

Photo credit: Kevin Fuchs

17 December 2023. We're thrilled to announce that our "Ethics by Design" project has secured funding to create digital teaching content for the Hamburg Open Online University - commencing April 2024. We aim to create an innovative learning and information resource to emphasise the essential role of ethics in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

"Ethics by Design" sheds light on how ethics is not merely an afterthought but a fundamental component at every stage of AI development. From initial conception through to implementation and eventual societal application, ethical considerations can set crucial directions for AI alignment. At the heart of this initiative is our commitment to ensuring that the next generation of technologists and developers are equipped with an ethical framework that guides their work. We believe that by integrating ethics into the very fabric of AI development, we can create a more equitable and responsible digital future.

Watch this space for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey to blend technology with ethical principles at the Hamburg Open Online University, a pioneer in offering high-quality, accessible online education!

17 November 2023. We are excited to share that Prof. Dr. Maximilian Kiener from our Institute for Ethics in Technology will be a featured participant in the 16th Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue on 22 November 2023. The panel at this event features an impressive line-up of experts in the field of technology governance, AI policy, and corporate sustainability:

• Lajla Fetic, Tech Governance and Digital Policy, Bertelsmann Stiftung
• Tatjana Evas, Legal and Policy Officer, Artificial Intelligence policy development and coordination, European Commission (DG CNECT)
• Maximilian Kiener, Junior-Professor Philosophy and Ethics in Technology, Hamburg University of Technology
• Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Integrity, Governance & Sustainability
• Matthias Schneider, Vice President IT RD, Security & Data, Mercedes-Benz AG

This event provides a platform for vital conversations on ethics in technology and sustainability in our rapidly evolving world. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream and later recording will be available on the Mercedes-Benz Group website: Sustainability Dialogue 2023. 

16 November 2023. We are excited to announce the release of a new episode of "Trust Issues", the engaging podcast series by ZVKI (Centre for Trustworthy AI). In this latest episode, our very own Maximilian Kiener discusses how AI models increasingly impact critical societal domains and the paradox of tech companies scaling back their ethics teams. This episode also dives into how AI and ethics can coexist effectively, examines the concept of a 'responsibility gap', and explores ways to address it. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking discussion. Listen to the episode here: Episode Link.

07 November 2023. We are delighted to announce the publication of the "Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Responsibility", edited by Maximilian Kiener. This comprehensive handbook features sections on the history, theory, and practice of responsibility, spanning from Aristotle's insights into legal responsibility to contemporary discussions on the governance of artificial intelligence. Enriched by the contributions of over 40 leading scholars from around the world, this volume offers a rich and diverse exploration of responsibility across various domains. Find the book here.