Newsroom

Illustration mit zwei Portraitbildern
Interview 15 July 2025

AI & Society: An initiative with impact

For five years, the foundation supported projects addressing the social dimension of artificial intelligence. We look back on the successes, challenges and the question of how sustainable the initiative's impact has been – and look ahead to the future.

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 09 July 2025

How does working with AI impact on research?

As a tool of science, artificial intelligence entails numerous risks, opportunities, and ambivalences. These need to be identified and classified. However, there is no revolution in sight, according to Jens Schröter.

Cover der Broschüre "Empfehlungen des Bürgerrats "KI und Freiheit"
Interview 19 June 2025

Finally having a say on AI - insights into the Citizens' Assembly "AI and freedom"

Have your say on artificial intelligence and help shape the future of research on the topic.  Forty randomly selected citizens from Baden-Württemberg have set themselves this task. They came together over a period of several months in the Citizens' Council called ‘Artificial Intelligence and Freedom’.

Illustration: Schneebedeckte Landschaft mit Personen, die aus den Tälern per Seil Materialien hervorholen wollen.
News 03 June 2025

How an AI transparency register can become a reality

To be made sustainably fit for the future, public administrations must undergo a challenging digital transformation. But the AI required for this also harbours risks. A research project is developing a roadmap to greater transparency – with the help of a register.

Eine Frau, die aufmerksam zuhört
Story 06 March 2025

So that everyone can have their say: Citizens' assembly on AI research

Rhetoric expert Anika Kaiser researches how people can make themselves heard on the major issues of our time – artificial intelligence (AI) being a case in point. She is the right person to take care that this grassroots democratic process does not remain too detached from reality: in her first life, she trained as a painter.

Illustration: Eine Gruppe Menschen diskutiert hinter einem klassizistischen Gebäude
Funding Offer 23 August 2023

Theme Week on Ethics of Science

The Volkswagen Foundation was hosting a "Theme Week on Ethics of Science: Ethical Dimensions of AI Research and AI in Research" from August 07 to 09, 2024. It invited applications for scientific symposia that address the nexus of artificial intelligence and scientific research from an ethical perspective. 

Stories

Portrait einer Frau in einem weitläufigen Flur
Story 08 October 2025

Christina Roggatz: Science that makes waves

Marine scientist Dr Christina Roggatz from the University of Bremen is leading her own team for the first time – and through her work wants to arrive at a better understanding of climate change. Here she gives us an insight into her everyday life as leader of a junior research group.

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 09 July 2025

How does working with AI impact on research?

As a tool of science, artificial intelligence entails numerous risks, opportunities, and ambivalences. These need to be identified and classified. However, there is no revolution in sight, according to Jens Schröter.