DisCoBoard
An AI Dashboard helping young people uncover online disinformation
Making democracy resilient:
Opportunities,
participation, and responsibility
Digital technologies have a powerful influence on democratic processes. At the FZI, we investigate how information technology can contribute to a resilient, fair, and open democracy, for example, through AI-supported analysis of disinformation, the development of digital participation platforms, or data-based evaluation methods. Our research combines expertise in Artificial Intelligence, human-computer interaction, and platform design with social responsibility. This results in new tools that enable participation and specifically promote democratic resilience in the digital space.
Our commitment to a sustainable democracy
Research and evaluation of digital participation formats and tools
We develop technologies and platforms that promote social participation and digital skills. In doing so, we support actors from the fields of crowdsourcing, citizen science, and e-participation — for example, with an interactive web application for planning and evaluating digital participation formats.
AI-supported analysis
and prevention of disinformation
We develop AI applications to detect and contain misinformation. In this way, we strengthen resilience against manipulation and promote trustworthy information spaces. We also strengthen the media literacy of the general public and specific target groups such as pupils and civil society actors.
Analysis and simulation of social networks with digital twins
We use digital twins of social networks to better understand communication dynamics and polarization. This enables us to support decision-makers, researchers, and platforms in analyzing and shaping social interactions in a targeted manner — for greater resilience, digital sovereignty, and transparent communication.
Our research keeps its promise
Our empirical and evidence-based research creates added value for society: We develop practical ICT solutions for digital democracy and participation. With the House of Participation (HoP), we have established a center of excellence dedicated to researching and implementing innovative participation solutions. We promote exchange between science, politics, and society through transfer formats such as the HoPcast, the HoP Conference, and the HoP Roundtable. We use AI-supported analysis tools and participatory methods to make social challenges tangible and actively shape democratic participation. Our close cooperation with leading research groups in digital democracy also strengthens the exchange of knowledge and enables scientific findings to be put into practice.
Tech for Democracy
German-Israeli Research Initiative on Digital Democracy
SOSEC
Innovative research design for resilient democracies
TWON
Online social networks influence the dissemination of news
FZI House of Participation
The House of Participation focuses on digital citizen participation.
DeFaktS
Fighting disinformation campaigns by disclosing the drivers and stylistic traits
Why choose the FZI as a research partner?
The FZI combines technological excellence with social responsibility: We bring together expertise in human-computer interaction, Artificial Intelligence, data analysis, and participation research. We accompany you from conception and evaluation to the implementation of innovative formats for digital democracy and participation. We advise public institutions, organizations, science, and technology development on citizen engagement, design low-threshold platforms, evaluate digital participation processes, and create applications geared toward real needs.
With the House of Participation (HoP), we offer a specialized infrastructure for research, consulting, and transfer. Whether in Karlsruhe or Berlin, we make digital participation visible and tangible. At the same time, we raise awareness of the importance of digital participation and participatory approaches.
Strategically well connected
The FZI develops innovative approaches for digital participation, democracy education, and the confident use of digital media in close cooperation with science and civil society, public, and political institutions.
How is digitalization changing our democracy?
In the FZI podcast from the House of Participation, we discuss opportunities, risks, and new avenues for political participation in the digital age.
Listen now and join the conversation!
Department Manager
- +49 30 7017337-342
- stein@fzi.de
- Headquarters Karlsruhe
Areas of expertise:
Digital participation / User-centered design / Participatory technology development
Senior Expert Digital Democracy and Participation
- +49 30 7017337-338
- fegert@fzi.de
- Headquarters Karlsruhe
Areas of expertise:
Digital participation / Polarization tendencies / Information manipulation
Are you interested in our expertise?
Please contact us for cooperation opportunities or order inquiries.