Tracks

You know the rules, and so do I

Discussions and debates on the social and political ramifications of digitalization are central to the re:publica program. 

We've always been interested in the big issues of tech  policy: Which conditions must be met in order to safeguard our basic democratic rights online? How can  infrastructures be built that serve the common good? How can we regulate  Big Tech and become more digitally independent? And why do I still have no connectivity  here? tldr: How do we reach the  digital world we wish for?

Besides this, we welcome critical perspectives on current social and political dynamics, as well as constructive approaches to addressing these. Who shapes public debates, and who remains excluded? How can we address populism and the political shift to the right? How can we escape "crisis management mode"? Where do we lack participation, and how can we bring together actors from civil society, politics, and academia?

In our “Politics & Society” track, we debate the current issues that move us, engage in discussions, and forge new alliances. Last but not least, we aim to defy the prevailing sense of resignation with a resounding "Never gonna give you up”!

We know the game and we're gonna play it

From e-commerce to the sharing economy, from big data to trust in the “human resource”: in a world in which data-driven decisions are on the rise, companies, their products and services are also transforming.

While products and services are available at any time, human resources such as time, attention, creativity, and emotions have become contested commodities, raising new questions.

Which responsibilities do companies and society have to promote more sustainable ways of production, advertising, consumption, and economic activity? Which economic models are both viable and ethically responsible? How will we work tomorrow? What meaningful role can AI play, and where should we be cautious? How can innovations be successfully combined with fundamental rights? What experiences exist with corporate digital responsibility? And what might prosperity and growth look like in a fair, future-proof digital society?

We want to discuss the world of the digital economy with its diverse actors, business models, and financing methods – across industries, with both start-ups and established companies. In doing so, we aim to strengthen the dialogue between innovators, companies, civil society, and academia to jointly develop solutions for a fair and sustainable digital future.

Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Media, journalism and new public spheres are facing major challenges:  What are exciting approaches to the platform economy - from subscription models to creator economy, community journalism to non-profit organisations? How are public spheres changing as a result of algorithmic decision-making trained to capture our attention?

The internet used to be a shared space full of joy and experimentation. Today, it is fragmented, marked by disinformation and shifts in power. Who still communicates where, how, and why? Where can we still find spaces for exchange, collective solutions, or simply fun? And which projects keep the internet vibrant and grounded in solidarity?

In a time of heated debates, we are interested in showcasing solutions against disinformation and for better fact-checking, gaining insights via data journalism, discussing the diversity of opinions and perspectives in editorial offices and our media landscape, as well as hearing your experiences with constructive (journalistic) approaches.

We give a stage to big stories and top investigations. Whether fiction or non-fiction, community-based or linear: we want to take a look behind the scenes of investigative documentaries, viral storytelling on TikTok, VR games and podcasts.

The Media Track of re:publica is funded by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and supported by Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg.

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling

Let’s zoom in on the interplay of technology with art and culture - be it creative, interactive, immersive. Bits and bytes are constantly changing and expanding the possibilities for expression, and the rapid development of AI is turning many things upside down.

What is digitalisation doing to people working in art and design? Whether music, metaverse, memes or museums, TikTok, touchscreen or theatre, Discord or data visualisation: let’s examine how digital developments are changing online culture, studios and ateliers, cultural enterprises and institutions.  

How have cybercultures changed since the early, playful days of the internet? How have they turned from a space of curiosity, exchange, and collective experimentation to one where divisions, disinformation, and new power structures have taken hold? And where can we still find traces of that original openness and shared joy of being online together?

Also worth exploring: How can digital means in art and culture contribute to contemporary debates in unique ways? How can they be used to shift our view of the digital world? And what do these new realities look like? 

Inside, we both know what's been going on

We want to explore the synergies between science and technology with you. How do technological developments and innovations influence us? Who drives them forward, and how? We are interested in infrastructure and hardware just as much as insights into the logbooks of laboratories, think tanks, and universities.

How does quantum technology actually work, and what effect does social media have on our brains? Can a chatbot provide therapy, and do we want it to? Who filters AI content—if not AI itself? Which technological developments can help combat the climate crisis? 

We welcome relevant insights into scientific research and new findings from psychology, as well as concrete best practices and creative methods, such as design thinking. We also welcome reflections on ethical issues as well as science communication that makes complex relationships comprehensible. 

Lastly, we are interested in the creative potential of making and hacking, including tinkering, designing, and experimenting with new materials, from devices and wearables to renewable energies.

Gotta make you understand

We explore how technologies are changing the way we learn, teach, and share knowledge – from digital learning and hackathons to everyday life in schools and universities. How can open educational opportunities be designed using digital methods, support learning processes, and promote critical engagement with content? Where and how should we learn with artificial intelligence, if at all? Ultimately, how do technologies help to train and educate ourselves in times of life-long learning? What forward-thinking moves have been made and what are your experiences with these?

We are interested in imparting data- and tech literacy as well as an open-minded approach to utilizing technology. We wish for education to inspire and provide for sustainable means to pass on knowledge.. We are thus looking forward to sessions reflecting current research results, pedagogical methods and analyses from education experts, teachers of all walks and all (lifelong) learners.