In the run-up to the German federal state elections:

Chatbots are still spreading falsehoods

In September 2024, federal state elections will be held in Thuringia, Saxony, and Brandenburg. AlgorithmWatch and CASM Technology have tested whether AI chatbots answer questions about these elections correctly and unbiased. The result: They are not reliable.

Researching Systemic Risks under the Digital Services Act

AlgorithmWatch has been investigating the concept of "systemic risks" under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the new EU regulation which aims to minimize risks and increase accountability for online platforms and search engines.

Explainer: AI act

A guide to the AI Act, the EU’s new AI rulebook

In 2024, the EU adopted a law to regulate Artificial Intelligence across all sectors. The regulation is a humble step forward towards protecting people’s fundamental rights from risks stemming from AI. In this guide we will unwrap what the new rules entail and what it will – and won’t – change.

For trans people, online transitioning can be a nightmare

Just a formality? Updating one’s online identity can be like running the gauntlet and a flawed data architecture only makes it worse for the transgender community.

Explainer: AI in the workplace

Managed by the algorithm: how AI is changing the way we work

Automated decision-making systems control our work, whether in companies or via platforms that allocate jobs to independent contractors. Companies can use them to increase their efficiency, but such systems have a downside: They can also be used to surveil employees and often conceal the exploitation of workers and the environment.

Explainer: AI & labor law

What works and what doesn’t: AI systems and labor law

In many companies, employees are controlled by automated systems, especially in platform work. The use of such systems in the (virtual) workplace is not yet comprehensively regulated by law. New (draft) laws are intended to help workers protect their rights.

Explainer: AI & Sustainability

Sustainable AI: a contradiction in terms?

Does Artificial Intelligence (AI) help tackle the climate crisis or is it an environmental sin worse than flying? We explain how much energy AI systems really consume, why we need better measurements, how AI can become more sustainable, and what all this has to do with the EU's AI Act.

Explainer: Algorithmic discrimination

How and why algorithms discriminate

Automated decision-making systems contain hidden discriminatory prejudices. We’ll explain the causes, possible consequences, and the reasons why existing laws do not provide sufficient protection against algorithmic discrimination.

What is algorithmic discrimination?

Discrimination by algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI): we give an overview of the topic.

10 Questions about AI and elections

2024 is an important election year. While citizens all over the world get ready to cast their ballot, many people worry about AI: Are chatbots and fake images a threat to democracy? Can we still trust what we see online? We explain why the hype around AI and elections is somewhat overblown and which real risks we need to watch out for instead.

Become a friend of AlgorithmWatch!

Make sure that algorithms and artificial intelligence strengthen justice, democracy and sustainability instead of weakening them. Become a supporting member of AlgorithmWatch - starting at just 5 euros per month.