The Bavarian Research Institute for Digital Transformation (bidt), the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), Leibniz Institute for Media Research – Hans Bredow Institute (HBI) and the Weizenbaum Institute (WI) invite doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to present their work at the joint Digitalisation Research Seminar – DigiSem.
This year’s Digitalisation Research Seminar is dedicated to Digital Safety as a human-centered, interdisciplinary research field. We aim to bring together early career researchers who examine human and societal risks of digital technologies, including harm arising from bias, dis- and misinformation, loss of control, and institutional misalignment, as well as challenges in risk prevention for vulnerable groups, such as children.
Our goal is to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and networking among early career researchers, and to advance research that contributes to safer, more responsible, and socially sustainable digital systems. Constructive feedback and cross-cutting discussions are central to the seminar.
We invite early career researchers (PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and advanced Master’s students) to submit papers for an interdisciplinary exchange on risks and challenges arising from digital systems that affect human safety, well-being, and societal stability, and goes beyond issues of cybersecurity.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Use of technologies to increase security
- Risks of using AI on bias and decision making
- Regulation of social media for human and societal safety
- Protection of of vulnerable groups (esp. children and young people) in the digital space
- Criminal misuse of digital technologies (deep fakes, doxing, cybercrime, identity theft, etc.)
Keynote:
Prof. Dr. Lena Kästner is professor for philosophy, computer science and artificial intelligence at University of Bayreuth. Her keynote has the title „AI and the Safety Paradox: Convenience, Control, or Compromise?“
About her talk
Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming embedded in everyday life, offering unprecedented convenience while also introducing new risks. One central concern in this context, especially pressing in the current political climate, is safety. On the one hand, AI may be deployed to enhance safety and protect our interests. On the other, it undoubtedly also creates significant safety hazards. The central question of my talk thus is how we shall navigate the ensuing safety paradox for AI, viz. that the very same technology simultaneously offers vast potential and vulnerabilities.
Drawing on recent research from within the interdisciplinary project “For the Greater Good? — Deepfakes in Criminal Investigations” (FoGG), I shall clarify how the paradox unfolds in practice. I explore how AI both enables novel forms of crime (e.g., AI-assisted fraud) and potentially enhances investigative capabilities of prosecutors.
I shall examine under what conditions AI may and should legitimately be used and discuss the implications for modern society at large. My central claim will be that effective AI governance must find a compromise between convenience and control to safeguard individuals and economic interests, protect democratic values, and remain robust in the face of evolving socio-technical risks.
Important Dates:
01 April 2026: CfP opens
01 June 2026: Deadline for abstract submission
30 June 2026: Notification of acceptance
01 July 2026: Registration opens
07 September 2026: Deadline for registration
Submission and Participation Guidelines
Submissions should present research that relates to one of the main topics. Inter- and transdisciplinary work is particularly encouraged. Please submit an abstract of max. 300 words via EasyChair (see link below) by 01 June 2026. Please indicate preferred presentation type as talk or poster presentation. Presentations should be 15 minutes plus 10 minutes q&a.
Programme
Monday 21.09.
To be determined.
Tuesday 22.09.
To be determined.
Submission Link
Download CAll