Seminar HS 26: Fundamental Rights and Digitalisation

New technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain are increasingly shaping the way society interacts. From the perspective of fundamental rights, these technologies present both significant opportunities and major challenges. For instance, social media can strengthen freedom of expression by connecting people worldwide and facilitating access to information that helps shape opinions. At the same time, disinformation and targeted manipulation pose a serious threat to democratic processes. 

Artificial intelligence can help make complex administrative information more comprehensible and facilitate access to public services. However, there is also a risk of discriminatory decisions, for example in the awarding of scholarships or in police interventions.

In addition to the specific technologies, the actors involved are also undergoing fundamental change. States are becoming increasingly dependent on large technology companies and are consequently losing regulatory influence. This raises the question of the constitutional obligations of private actors and their responsibilities in the digital sphere. 

The seminar addresses these and other issues concerning the impact of digitalisation on fundamental rights. It is aimed at interested Bachelor’s students. Registration is via the faculty’s internal registration tool. 

The compulsory preliminary meeting will take place on 7 May 2026 from 13:00 to 14:00. The seminar is expected to take place in October. The exact dates will be published at a later date. Any costs for activities within the framework of the seminar (e.g. a visit to an exhibition on the topic) are to be borne by the students themselves.