# Weizenbaum Institute

> interdisciplinary research institute investigating the ethical, legal, economic and political aspects of digital transformation

**Wikidata**: [Q31839610](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31839610)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weizenbaum_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/weizenbaum-institute

## Summary
The Weizenbaum Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute based in Berlin, Germany, that investigates the ethical, legal, economic, and political aspects of digital change. Founded in 2017 and named after computer scientist Joseph Weizenbaum, it operates as a registered association (nonprofit organization) funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Senate of Berlin.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 2017
- **Location:** Berlin, Germany (Coordinates: 52.50814166666667, 13.329222222222223)
- **Legal Form:** Registered association (eingetragener Verein)
- **Named After:** Joseph Weizenbaum
- **Director/Manager:** Christoph Neberger
- **Primary Funders:** Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space; Senate of Berlin
- **Fields of Work:** Social science, political science, media studies, computer science, economics, jurisprudence, and digital transformation
- **Memberships:** Informationsdienst Wissenschaft, Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research
- **Website:** https://www.weizenbaum-institut.de/

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary focus of the Weizenbaum Institute?
A: The institute focuses on the interdisciplinary investigation of digital change, specifically examining its ethical, legal, economic, and political aspects.

### Q: Who funds the Weizenbaum Institute?
A: The institute is jointly funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and the Senate of Berlin.

### Q: Is the Weizenbaum Institute part of a university?
A: The entity is classified as a research institute and nonprofit organization. It is a member of the "Informationsdienst Wissenschaft" and the "Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research."

### Q: Who is the institute named after?
A: It is named after Joseph Weizenbaum, a computer scientist known for his work in artificial intelligence.

## Why It Matters
The Weizenbaum Institute serves as a central hub for understanding the complex societal transformations driven by digitalization. By integrating disciplines such as computer science, social science, law, and media studies, it moves beyond purely technical analysis to address the critical human and governance dimensions of the internet and digital technologies.

Its significance lies in its role as "The German Internet-Institut" (one of its aliases), positioning it as a key contributor to public and academic discourse on how digital networks reshape society. The institute plays a vital role in advising policy and educating the public on the challenges of the networked society, ensuring that technological advancement is aligned with ethical and legal standards. Through its publications and academic output, it helps define the parameters of responsible digital change.

## Notable For
- **Interdisciplinary Approach:** Combining technical fields like computer science with humanities and social sciences (law, ethics, politics) to study digital transformation.
- **Organizational Structure:** Operating as a registered association (Weizenbaum-Institut e.V.) rather than a traditional university department.
- **Academic Publishing:** Functioning as an academic publisher in addition to a research body.
- **Digital Public Presence:** Maintaining a verified and active presence across decentralized and modern social platforms, including Mastodon (social.bund.de) and Bluesky.
- **Namesake:** Bearing the legacy of Joseph Weizenbaum, a foundational figure in the critique of computation and AI.

## Body

### Mission and Research Focus
The Weizenbaum Institute is dedicated to researching all aspects of digital change. It is defined by its interdisciplinary nature, bridging the gap between technology and society. Its specific fields of work include:
- Social Science
- Political Science
- Media Studies
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Jurisprudence
- Digital Transformation

The institute investigates the ethical, legal, economic, and political implications of a networked society.

### Governance and Structure
The institute was founded in 2017 and operates under the legal form of a registered association (*eingetragener Verein*). It is recognized as a nonprofit organization. The current director/manager is Christoph Neberger.

The institute is a member of:
- **Informationsdienst Wissenschaft** (as of 2019)
- **Network of Institutes for Digitalisation Research**

### Funding and Support
The organization is financially supported by government bodies. Its listed funders are:
- Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space
- Senate of Berlin

### Location
The institute is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Its physical coordinates are 52.50814166666667, 13.329222222222223. It is registered in the transparency database of Berlin.

### Digital Identity and Media
The institute maintains a comprehensive digital footprint across various platforms, reflecting its focus on networked society.
- **Website:** Available in German and English at https://www.weizenbaum-institut.de/
- **Social Media:**
    - **Twitter:** @JWI_Berlin
    - **Mastodon:** @Weizenbaum_Institut@social.bund.de
    - **Bluesky:** @weizenbauminstitut.bsky.social
    - **LinkedIn:** weizenbaum
    - **Instagram:** weizenbauminstitut
    - **YouTube:** Weizenbaum Institut (Channel ID: UCKlxaAe-V1VWolLLyORG9zg)
- **Transparency:** The institute is listed in the EU Transparency Register (ID: 194885445254-71) and the Lobby Register of the German Bundestag (ID: R003857).

### Identifiers
The entity is tracked in numerous academic and global databases:
- **Wikidata:** QID referenced in context.
- **ISNI:** 000000051088402X
- **ROR ID:** 023kksk09
- **GRID ID:** grid.512488.2
- **GND ID:** 121523399X
- **Ringgold ID:** 648518

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/weizenbaum-institut-ev?rid=194885445254-71)
2. [Source](https://www.weizenbaum-institut.de/das-institut/)
3. [Source](https://idw-online.de/de/institution2333)
4. [Transparenz­datenbank Berlin](https://transparenzdatenbank.berlin.de/oberflaeche/index.cfm?dateiname=organisation_beschreibung_transparenz.cfm&id=F92000AC8946521152760FFDEF73D0E7&anwender_id=5&seite=1100&sortorder_transparenz=organisation&sortdirection=desc&cfide=0.851689425655&name_der_organisation=&registrierungsnr=&transparenzlogo=0&plz=)
5. GRID Release 2021-09-16
6. YouTube API