Democracy

In a world shaped by accelerating technological progress, we explore the transformative impact of digitization on democracy. Within the Futurium Lab, we focus on this intersection while exploring the responsible use of digital tools such as social media, artificial intelligence and data analysis. How can these tools influence the development of our democratic systems?

Central to this exploration is the concept of digital participation, a key-element for well-functioning democracies. However, new structures and processes are required for its implementation. How important are digital tools for the proactive inclusion of citizens in the democratic process? What are the opportunities and associated risks?

The "Data Correlations" project by Studio Brüll offers a glimpse into potential future debates. Visitors share their perspectives on local issues. Different points of view are visually linked on a canvas to contextualize commonalities, fostering inspiration through exposure to diverse perspectives.

Traditional sources of information such as public broadcasting and newspapers are still crucial for forming political opinions. However, more and more young people under the age of 30 are using social networks to find out about political events. These platforms work differently to traditional media as they adapt content to user behaviour. The "Opinionator" from Tactical Tech examines the potential impact of this trend on the dynamics of opinion formation. The exhibit shows how political actors and interest groups use the internet in a targeted manner. It encourages critical reflection on the power of social networks and emphasises the urgent need to understand the mechanisms of opinion formation. Education about how influencing technologies work and are used is important to enable users to make informed decisions.