Our digital world is one of divides with access, safety and innovation starkly different across countries and communities. But to drive sustainable development, we must work together and better leverage science, technology, innovation, and digital cooperation. At the Summit of the Future UN's 193 member countries are negotiating the Global Digital Compact to manage risks and harness benefits effectively.
The Global Digital Compact targets issues such as connectivity, literacy, data governance, and trust while protecting freedom of speech, while promoting a trustworthy Internet by introducing accountability criteria for discrimination and misleading content. It aims for a digital future that is open, free, secure, and human-centered. It aims to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by bridging the digital divide across countries and communities and safeguarding online human rights.
“We can't build a future for our grandchildren with a system built for our grandparents.”
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, United Nations Secretary-General
As a university, we are committed to preparing our students to be the digital leaders of tomorrow. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and ethical practices into our curriculum, we ensure they are equipped to tackle emerging challenges and drive innovation in the digital world. We provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to lead responsibly and effectively in an increasingly interconnected and complex digital landscape.
Our contribution to a bright digital future
The Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP) and the TUM Think Tank are at the forefront of shaping a brighter digital future, driving innovative projects in key areas such as digital spaces, digital governance, and digital sustainability.
Digital Spaces
Digital Spaces are online environments where people connect, share, and interact. In order to foster positive, constructive interactions within these spaces, the Global Digital Compact emphasizes the need for inclusive governance, protection of human rights, and the promotion of safety and respect online by establishing clear guidelines, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring accountability for harmful behaviors.
Prof. Simon Hegelich | Professorship of Political Data Science
Biopolitical Remapping of Right-Wing Extremist Social Media Phenomena
How to combat right-wing extremism in Bavaria? We examine the biopolitical dynamics and influences of right-wing extremist social media practices as part of the ForGeRex network.
Differential Privacy
How can we use Big Data, while protecting the privacy of individuals? We explore innovative approaches to managing Big Data while ensuring privacy protection.
Media Power
What are the dynamics behind the so-called fourth estate? We develop empirical metrics to measure the media power of intermediaries, such as social networks and platforms.
Neovex
Conspiracy and Corona—We analyze patterns and dynamics of conspiracy theories and right-wing ideologies during times of crisis, focusing on coordinated inauthentic user behavior in COVID-19 communication on social networks.
Prof. Jürgen Pfeffer | Chair of Computational Social Science
Online Firestorms and Resentment Propagation on Social Media
Exploring the underpinnings of social media's negative dynamics, we aim to harness mathematical modeling and AI insights to preemptively tackle online firestorms, misinformation, and hate speech.
Online-Offline Spillovers—Potential Real-World Implications of Online Manipulation
Investigating the ripple effects of online behavior on real-world actions, we scrutinize the influence of social media attention on political polarization and truth commitment.
Prof. Jürgen Pfeffer | Chair of Computational Social Science &
Prof. Janina Steinert | Professorship of Global Health
Understanding, Detecting, and Mitigating Online Misogyny against Politically Active Women
How can we protect women in politics from online misogyny? Through interdisciplinary approaches and citizen involvement, this research project aims to help curb hate against politically active women in Germany, India, and Brazil.
Prof. Yannis Theocharis | Chair of Digital Governance
Platforms for the people
Are social media platforms a threat to democracy? Platforms for the People aims to uncover how negative content on social media leads to marginalization, demobilization, and mental health issues, and how users respond.
ToxicAInment
How does toxic entertainment influence our behavior? By analyzing content on TikTok and YouTube, ToxicAInment seeks to show how "easily digestible" toxicity increases the acceptance of offensive comments.
Transparency in Content Moderation
This research project deals with the non-transparent moderation procedures of social media platforms with a focus on "fake news" and hate messages, as well as the protection of freedom of speech.
What makes Social Media harmful?
Hate speech occurs worldwide. But how do personal and cultural factors shape our perception of toxic behavior? Through studying reactions to hate speech in Brazil, Germany, the UK, and the USA, we aim to understand this phenomenon.
Read mor about the projects at the TUM Think Tank!
Digital Governance
Digital Governance ensures that online interactions are fair, transparent, and accountable. To achieve this, the Global Digital Compact highlights the importance of establishing robust frameworks, enhancing regulatory oversight, and fostering global cooperation for effective digital management.
Prof. Tim Büthe | Chair for International Relations
The Development of Competition Law & Policy and Its Consequences for Innovation
How does competition law affect innovation? We analyze how global developments in competition law either promote or hinder innovation and the challenges involved in regulating data-driven markets.
Prof. Eugénia da Conceição-Heldt | Chair of European and Global Governance Disruptions in Politics and Technology
Disruptions in Politics and Technology
How do technological and political shocks transform the world? By developing a typology and theoretical framework, we offer new insights into the impact of disruptions on society and politics.
Prof. Urs Gasser | Chair for Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology
AI Governance
How can AI be effectively regulated on a global scale? Through collaborations with international organizations and governments, this project works on effective governance strategies for AI and provides students with insights into regulatory approaches. Examples: Mauritius, Colombia
Guardrails: Guiding Human Decisions in the Age of AI
How can we make better decisions in an age of rapid technological change? In the book Guardrails, Urs Gasser and Viktor Mayer-Schönberger explore how societal norms can guide decision-making, balancing human agency with the social good in a digital world.
International Network on Digital Self-determination
How can we preserve our digital freedom? The International Network on Digital Self-Determination project develops methods to improve the handling of social media and AI, focusing on human-centered approaches and trustworthy data practices.
Interop: The Promise and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems
Interop is a book about the crucial role of interoperability—standardizing and integrating technology—and demonstrates how this fundamental principle will be essential for success in the decades to come.
UNESCO AI ethics experts without borders
How to implement the UNESCO recommendations on the Ethics of AI? Urs Gasser is a member of UNESCO’s AI ethics experts without borders providing on-demand support and tailored policy advice to countries.
Prof. Jürgen Pfeffer | Chair of Computational Social Science
Changing Power Relations in Data Use & Governance
Digitalization is reshaping politics and global power structures. We explore how digital politics influences power dynamics, shifts in governance, and the ways in which citizens engage with and influence political processes on a global scale.
Prof. Lena Ulbricht | Professorship of Political Philosophy and Theory
Demos scraping. Governance with digital technologies and the transformation of power
Does state power change with the rise of digital technologies? Using power and democratic theory, we examine how state automation increases control and weakens democratic participation, while also exploring resistance and regulatory efforts.
The politics of civil society-owned platforms
How do civil society-owned platforms influence public engagement? We analyze whether these platforms, as alternatives to private ones, address issues like monopolistic behavior and misinformation, using technology and democratic theory.
Prof. Stefan Wurster | Professorship of Policy Analysis
Harvesting Digital Service Results
How Effective Are Digital Technologies in Development Cooperation? We assess the impact of digital technologies on German development cooperation, aiming to identify key factors influencing their effectiveness and contribution to digital transformation.
Party Competition on Digital Policy
What priorities do political parties set for digitalization? We explore how political parties prioritize digitization, highlighting their diverse focuses on digital transformation's opportunities and challenges, and evaluating the social and political impacts using various frameworks of party competition.
Politics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important in daily life and therefore represents a significant power factor. We aim to analyze the political and regulatory challenges of AI technologies in Germany and globally.
Read mor about the projects at the TUM Think Tank!
Digital Sustainability
Digital Sustainability focuses on creating technology and digital practices that support long-term ecological and social well-being. The Global Digital Compact advocates for integrating sustainable practices into digital development, promoting energy efficiency, and reducing the environmental impact of digital technologies.
Prof. Tim Büthe | Chair for International Relations
Human Preference-Aware Optimization System (HPAO)
How can AI improve the work environment? By considering human preferences in AI-assisted planning and task allocation, we aim to enhance well-being and autonomy in the workplace.
Prof. Tim Büthe | Chair for International Relations &
Prof. Janina Steinert | Professorship of Global Health
Behavioral Responses to Digital Innovations in Health and Medicine
We are investigating patients' attitudes towards and actual use of digital health innovations, including electronic health records, digital therapeutics/health apps, and electronic prescriptions.
Prof. Jürgen Pfeffer | Chair of Computational Social Science
Social Media Networks, adolescent sleep and mental health: New evidence to optimize health and wellbeing
How does social media impact adolescent sleep and mental health? By analyzing social networks, sleep patterns, and emotional well-being, we aim to develop strategies for improving sleep and reducing mental health risks in youth.
Prof. Stefan Wurster | Professorship of Policy Analysis
EuroTeQ Collider at TUM
How is digitalization transforming global politics and shifting power dynamics? We examine its impact on political dynamics, governance, and the ways citizens engage with and influence political processes worldwide.
Digital Sustainability Transformation of, by, and for the TUM
How can digitalization and sustainability work together to shape our future? We explore how these two megatrends can reinforce each other, advancing both sustainable development and digital transformation.
Digitainability for EuroTeQ Universities
How can digital and sustainable transformations intersect? The "Student Challenge: Digitainability for EuroTeQ Universities" empowers students to develop and pitch innovative projects at the intersection of sustainability and digitalization.
Digitainability: Promoting responsibility & implementing innovations through project-based learning
How can digital transformation and sustainability work together to shape our future? We explore these synergies through expert talks, interactive workshops, and design challenges, encouraging students to develop innovative solutions to today’s complex global issues.
Digitization college „sustAInability“
How can AI and sustainability intersect for a better future? The "sustAInability" project explores the opportunities and challenges of AI in sustainability, combining interdisciplinary teaching and hands-on projects to develop innovative, responsible solutions.
Sustainable AI for Colombia
Can AI be made environmentally friendly? We provide a roadmap for integrating AI with ecological sustainability to support Colombia on its path to environmentally conscious AI development.