Public interest organizations
We support organizations that use digital technologies for common-good missions by ensuring their voices are heard in securing the sustainability of our social welfare state. We provide an overview of developments in the field of generative AI and contextualize them from a common-good perspective. Additionally, we advocate for the strengthening of public digital infrastructures.
Posts
Teresa Staiger
Events
Reflections on RightsCon 2025: Public AI, power structures, and human rights
How is the intersection of technology and human rights evolving? What role can the Public AI Stack, sustainable digital infrastructures, and collective action play in this context? At RightsCon 2025 in Taipei, activists, researchers, and decision-makers exchanged insights on these issues. reframe[Tech] was there and shares four key takeaways.
19. March 2025
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Aadhaar and the rise of Digital Public Infrastructure in India
Aadhaar, the first Digital Public Infrastructure project of the India Stack, transformed access to services for over a billion residents. However, it remains highly controversial, facing criticism over privacy, data security, and concerns about government surveillance.
13. November 2024
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PIX: How Brazil Built a Digital Public Payment Infrastructure for Payment
One of the most successful examples of Digital Public Infrastructures in the context of payment, is Brazil’s PIX system. This article explains the advantages of PIX in contrast to previous payment infrastructures and shows how it could be an example worth transferring to other countries.
6. November 2024
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Data as a Public Resource: Hamburg’s Urban Data Challenge
As cities grow and evolve, managing urban data becomes essential for sustainable development and social cohesion. In this context, Hamburg’s Urban Data Initiative is pioneering a collaborative approach to data sharing, bringing together public and private sectors to enhance mobility.
30. October 2024
Foto von Merci Je le jure auf Unsplash / Montage
Redefining Infrastructure in the Digital Age: The Rise of Digital Public Infrastructures
What if public infrastructure extended beyond roads and bridges to include digital identities and payment systems? This article explains how “Digital Public Infrastructure” is transforming the way we think about essential services and why it’s becoming a focal point in global tech and policy discussions.
23. October 2024
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We need responsible data foundations for Foundation Models
The rapid spread of foundation models like GPT has sparked a lot of excitement but also raises questions about the values embedded in these technologies. This is especially true of the underlying training data, which significantly influence how AI models function and the results they produce. For organizations focused on the common good, the question should arise whether they would prefer models whose training data better represent their values and convictions. However, there is too little evidence so far. That’s why we will be conducting a study to take a closer look at the training data – to raise awareness among organizations and increase transparency in the use of foundation models.
17. October 2024
Publications
Bertelsmann Stiftung
Publications
Bridge-building instead of polarization: how algorithms can improve digital discourse
The debates in social networks are increasingly characterized by polarization and fragmentation. A significant role in this phenomenon is played by the recommendation algorithms of major online platforms, which promote the spread of sensational and divisive content. We demonstrate how algorithms can contribute to a better digital discourse in an interactive web publication.
22. January 2024
