Top content

News

June 11, 2024
KI Macht ZUKUNFT? Interactive panel discussion

What stories about artificial intelligence are circulating, and how are they influencing our ideas about the future? Who is telling these powerful stories about the future? Which voices and lived experiences are being silenced? What counter-narratives can be articulated that allow for multiple voices? Finally, what can art and science do to address the social, political and ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence?

We want to discuss these and other questions together with Anna Jehle, Juliane Schickedanz, Ulrich Mokrusch, Prof. Rainer Mühlhoff and you on 11 June 2024 at 6:30 pm in the Studierendenzentrum at Osnabrück University. After a short keynote speech, there will be an interactive part where you will have the opportunity to share your ideas and desirable AI futures. The event will be held in German.

April 22, 2024
New article in AI & Society: "Chatbots, Search Engines, and the Sealing of Knowledges"

Abstract: In 2023, online search engine provider Microsoft integrated a language model that provides direct answers to search queries into its search engine Bing. Shortly afterwards, Google also introduced a similar feature to its search engine with the launch of Google Gemini. This introduction of direct answers to search queries signals an important and significant change in online search. This article explores the implications of this new search paradigm.
Drawing on Donna Haraway’s theory of Situated Knowledges and Rainer Mühlhoff’s concept of Sealed Surfaces, I introduce the term Sealed Knowledges to draw attention to the increasingly difficult access to the plurality of potential answers to search queries through the output of a singular, authoritative, and plausible text paragraph. I argue that the integration of language models for the provision of direct answers into search engines is based on a de-situated and disembodied understanding of knowledge and affects the subjectivities of its users. At the same time, the sealing of knowledges can lead to an increasing spread of misinformation and may make marginalized knowledge increasingly difficult to find. The paper concludes with an outlook on how to resist the increasing sealing of knowledges in online search.

Mar 15, 2024
Purpose Limitation for AI Models

We are excited to announce the publication of our paper, “Regulating AI with Purpose Limitation for Models” by Rainer Mühlhoff and Hannah Ruschemeier, featured in the opening issue of the new journal “AI Law and Regulation”. In this groundbreaking study, we introduce the concept of applying purpose limitation to AI models as a novel approach to mitigate the unregulated secondary use of AI, addressing risks such as discrimination and infringement of fundamental rights.

Our interdisciplinary research highlights the increasing informational power asymmetry between data companies and society, suggesting that current regulations, focused mainly on data protection, fall short in curbing the misuse of trained models. By shifting the focus from training data to trained models, we advocate for a regulatory framework that emphasizes democratic control over AI’s predictive and generative capabilities, ensuring they are used in ways that are beneficial to society without undermining individual or collective rights.

This paper is a call to action for lawmakers, technologists, and the public to rethink how we regulate AI, aiming for a future where AI serves the public good while respecting privacy and equity. Dive into our full analysis and join the conversation on how we can achieve a more equitable and controlled use of AI technologies.

An earlier version of the paper was presented at the EAI CAIP – AI for People conference on November 24, 2023, in Bologna.

Feb 19, 2024
Predictive Analytics and Collective Data Protection

We’re excited to announce the final publication of our paper, “Predictive Analytics and the Collective Dimensions of Data Protection”, by Rainer Mühlhoff and Hannah Ruschemeier. Our interdisciplinary research blends legal studies, ethics, and technical insights to unravel the social implications of predictive analytics. Challenging the conventional, individualistic approach, we propose ‘predictive privacy,’ advocating for regulations that reflect the collective impact of data use. Dive into our exploration of societal risks and the imperative for new legal frameworks in the digital age.

Feb 5, 2024
NDR Kultur – Das Journal on my work

Under the title “Was sind die Risiken von KI?”, NDR Kultur – Das Journal made a report on my current work. Many thanks to Lennart Herberhold (in German).
 

More interesting articles:

Dec 28, 2023 - Chaos Communicaton Congress Hamburg - video AI – Power – Inequality (in German)

Oct 17, 2023 - Public Philosophy journal - An Agenda For Change

April 17, 2023 - Big Data & Society (open access) - “Predictive Privacy: Collective Data Protection in the Context of AI and Big Data”

March 22, 2023 - “Social Media Advertising for Clinical Studies: Ethical and Data Protection Implications of Online Targeting” (mit Theresa Willem)

Oct 12, 2022 - Prädiktive Privatheit: Kollektiver Datenschutz im Kontext von Big Data und KI (in German)

Sept 8, 2022 - Deutschlandfunk Nova – Broadcast Lecture Hall (in German)

Aug 29, 2022 - Live on radio WDR5 – The Philosophical Radio (in German)