© Chris Titze Imaging

Abstract

The trend towards digitization and big data is accompanied by the increasing application and relevance of algorithms and processes of “algorithmic selection”. Algorithmic selection is the technological and functional core of a multitude of Internet and data processing applications such as search engines, information aggregators, recommender and scoring systems, observation and forecast applications, intelligent filtering, content production and allocation applications like algo-trading. Algorithms shape the circulations of popular culture and they are a source of social order. The strong influence and power of algorithms stands in sharp contrast to rather opaque accountability structures regarding algorithmic selection. The socio-technological settings of algorithms are characterized by the involvement of multiple actors and software that increasingly operates autonomously. Accountability mechanisms and legal standards that govern automated decision processes have not kept pace with technology. Our research explores the social implications of the growing influence of algorithms. This includes the risks that emerge with the growing diffusion of algorithms and automated decision-making as well as suitable governance and accountability arrangements.

Funding

Research activities under the framework of Triple A are funded by the Vienna Anniversary Fund for the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Faculty of Humanities of the Alpen Adria Universität, Sky, and under the Go!digital Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

CMC Staff

Florian Saurwein (Project Leader)

Charlotte Spencer-Smith, 2018 - 2020

Projects and Events

Research project: Media reporting on algorithms, robotics and artificial intelligence: Representation of risks and responsibility in the automation debate (MARA)

Research project: Content moderation on Internet platforms: Options for a governance arrangement at national level (COMOD)

Research project: The Automation of the social: Algorithmic selection in social online networks (ALISON)

Scientific conference: Regulation of Internet platforms

Public panel discussion: Responsible Automation. How can we control algorithms, robots and artificial intelligence.

Expert workshop: Electronic person, governance-by-design & co. Potential and limits of innovative approaches for the control of algorithms and robots.

Scientific Conference: Internet-Plattformen für Europa.

Lectures

  • St. Pölten

    [Algorithms as a challenge for governance: Problems and solutions in the case of content moderation on Internet platforms]

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    7 Mar 2019

  • Salzburg

    Algorithmen in sozialen Online Netzwerken: Problemverursacher und Lösungsoption

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    26 Apr 2018

  • Salzburg

    Algorithms, automation and the media

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    20 Nov 2017

  • Klagenfurt

    Verantwortungsfragen im Kontext des Automatisierungstrends: Zunehmende Automatisierung - Verteilte Verantwortlichkeit [Questions of responsibility in the context of automation: Increasing automation - distributed accountability]

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker) & Eberwein, T. (Speaker)

    28 Jun 2017

  • Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg

    Automatisierung, Algorithmen, Accountability - Eine Governance Perspektive

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    2 Dec 2016

  • University of New York in Prague

    Emerging structures of control for algorithms on the Internet: Distributed agency - distributed accountability

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    8 Nov 2016

  • Berlin

    Governing algorithms on the Internet: approaches, options, gaps

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker), Just, N. (Contributor) & Latzer, M. (Contributor)

    5 Oct 2016

  • Wien

    Algorithmische Selektion: Risiken und Governance der automatisierten Auswahl im Internet

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker), Just, N. (Contributor) & Latzer, M. (Contributor)

    30 May 2016

Books and Monographs

Articles and Book Chapters

  • Algorithms on the internet: Factor of media change and challenge for change management. / Saurwein, F; Karmasin, M (Herausgeber:in); Diehl, S (Herausgeber:in) et al.
    Media and change management. Creating a path for new content formats, business models, consumer roles, and business responsibility. Cham: Springer, 2022. S. 419-442.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Regulierung von Internet-Inhalten: Ombudsstellen als Governance-Option an der Schnittstelle von Recht und Ethik. / Saurwein, F; Marci-Boehncke, G (Herausgeber:in); Rath, M (Herausgeber:in) et al.
    Medien – Demokratie – Bildung. Normative Vermittlungsprozesse und Diversität in mediatisierten Gesellschaften. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 2022. S. 347-363.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Social-Media-Algorithmen als Gefahr für Öffentlichkeit und Demokratie: Anwendungen, Risikoassemblagen und Verantwortungszuschreibungen. / Saurwein, F; Spencer-Smith, C; Krieger-Lamina, J et al.
    Digitalisierung und die Zukunft der Demokratie. Beiträge aus der Technikfolgenabschätzung. Bd. 24. Baden-Baden: Nomos-Verlag, 2022. S. 243-256.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Un cas d’école: réguler les algorithms. / Saurwein, F; Just, N; Latzer, M et al.
    L'ère du numérique 3: Des moeurs et des usages. London: ISTE Editions, 2021. S. 45-65.
    RISENWBIB
  • Automated trouble: The role of algorithmic selection in harms on social media. / Saurwein, F; Spencer-Smith, C.
    in: Media and Communication, Jahrgang 9, Nr. 4, 01.12.2021, S. 222-233.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Covering technology risks and responsibility: Automation, artificial intelligence, robotics, and algorithms in the media. / Brantner, C; Saurwein, F.
    in: International Journal of Communication, Jahrgang 15, 01.12.2021, S. 5074–5098.
    WebsiteRISENWBIB
  • Picture-sorting techniques. Card sorting and Q-sort as alternative and complementary approaches in visual social research. / Lobinger, K; Brantner, C; Pauwels, L (Herausgeber:in) et al.
    The Sage Handbook of Visual Research Methods. 2nd Revised and Expanded Edition. London: Sage, 2020. S. 309-321.
    RISENWBIB
  • Memes against sexism? A multi-method analysis of the feminist protest hashtag #distractinglysexy and its resonance in mainstream news media. / Brantner, C; Lobinger, K; Stehling, M.
    in: Convergence, Jahrgang 26, Nr. 3, 01.07.2020, S. 674-696.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Combating disinformation on social media: Multilevel governance and distributed accountability in Europe. / Saurwein, F; Spencer-Smith, C.
    in: Digital Journalism, Jahrgang 8, Nr. 6 (Special Issue: Policy Issues in Digital Journalism), 01.07.2020, S. 691-703.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Regulierung von Internet-Inhalten: Verantwortlichkeit jenseits der Providerhaftung [Regulation of online content: Responsibility beyond provider liability]. / Saurwein, F; Spencer-Smith, C.
    in: MedienJournal, Jahrgang 43, Nr. 4, 01.12.2019, S. 40-62.
    RISENWBIB
  • Emerging structures of control for algorithms on the Internet: Distributed agency – distributed accountability. / Saurwein, Florian; Eberwein, Tobias (Herausgeber:in); Fengler, Susanne (Herausgeber:in) et al.
    Media Accountability in the Era of Post-Truth Politics: European Challenges and Perspectives. London/New York: Routledge, 2019. S. 196-211 (Routledge Studies in European Communication Research and Education).
    RISENWBIB
  • Automatisierung, Algorithmen, Accountability. Eine Governance Perspektive [Automatization, algorithms, accountability. A governance perspective]. / Saurwein, Florian; Rath, Matthias (Herausgeber:in); Krotz, Friedrich (Herausgeber:in) et al.
    Maschinenethik. Normative Grenzen autonomer Systeme. Wiesbaden: Springer VS, 2019. S. 35-56 (Ethik in mediatisierten Welten).
    DOIWebsiteRISENWBIB
  • Algorithmische Selektion im Internet: Risiken und Governance automatisierter Auswahlprozesse [Algorithmic selection on the Internet: Risks and governance of automated selection processes]. / Saurwein, Florian; Just, Natascha; Latzer, Michael et al.
    in: kommunikation@gesellschaft, Jahrgang 18, Nr. Sonderausgabe, 01.06.2017, S. 1-22.
    WebsiteDownloadRISENWBIB
  • The economics of algorithmic selection. / Latzer, Michael; Just, Natascha; Hollnbucher, Katharina et al.
    Handbook on the Economics of the Internet. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publ., 2016. S. 395-425.
    DOIRISENWBIB
  • Governance of algorithms: Options and limitations. / Saurwein, Florian; Just, Natascha; Latzer, Michael.
    in: Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Jahrgang 17, Nr. 6, 15.06.2015, S. 35 - 49.
    DOIDownloadRISENWBIB

Research Papers

  • Mediale Darstellung von Risiken und Verantwortung in der Berichterstattung über Social Media und Social Companions [Media representation of risks and responsibility in reporting on social media and social companions]. / Saurwein, F; Möck, L; Bauer, C et al.
    Wien, 2022.
    DownloadRISENWBIB
  • Inhaltsregulierung auf Internet-Plattformen: Optionen für verantwortungsorientierte Governance auf nationaler Ebene [Content Regulation on Internet Platforms: Options for Responsibility Orientated Governance on the national level] CMC Research Paper No. 12. / Saurwein, Florian; Spencer-Smith, Charlotte.
    Wien, 2019.
    WebsiteRISENWBIB

Popular Publications

  • Regulierung von Internet-Plattformen: Gut gemeint oder gut gemacht? [Regulating internet platforms: well intended or well done?]. / Saurwein, Florian.
    in: DerStandard.at, 02.10.2018.
    WebsiteRISENWBIB
  • Verantwortung im Zeitalter der Automatisierung [reprint]. / Saurwein, Florian.
    in: European Journalism Observatory (EJO), 29.09.2017.
    DownloadRISENWBIB
  • Macht der Algorithmen: Einfluss ohne Verantwortung? / Saurwein, Florian.
    in: DerStandard.at, 27.09.2017.
    DownloadRISENWBIB

Popular Talks

  • Wien

    Algorithmen im Internet. Risiken für demokratische Öffentlichkeit, Herausforderungen für Medienkompetenz [Algorithms on the Internet: Risks for democracy, challenges for media literacy]

    Saurwein, F. (Speaker)

    14 Oct 2019

In the media

Nachhilfe in Maschinen-Ethik, ÖAW Web-Interview mit Ingrid Brodnig, 2. Oktober 2017

Macht der Algorithmen: Einfluss ohne Verantwortung? derstandard.at, 27. September 2017