Ethics of AI
Welcome to the Research Group Ethics and Critical Theories of AI!
We are working on a contemporary critical philosophy of the digital. This deals with what is at stake socially and politically in the AI-driven transformation of our societies. The approach we have chosen integrates ethics, critique, social philosophy, philosophy of technology and media studies of AI. Our understanding of the term "ethics" is broad and focuses primarily on structures of power and exploitation. In our interdisciplinary approach, ethics expresses itself in the form of social criticism, criticism of digital capitalism or criticism of subjectivity in the digital world.
Who are we?
For our research group, an inclusive working atmosphere, equality and the consideration of young scientists with children are particularly important.
The research group "Ethics and Critical Theories of AI" consists of Prof. Rainer Mühlhoff and his team. Details of Rainer's ongoing work can also be found on Rainer's website.
Current topics in our working group are
- Structural effects of AI
- Geneology and ethics of chatbots
- Privacy and data protection in the context of big data and AI
- Intersectionality and anti-discrimination in the digital society
- AI capitalism and the digital economy
- Poststructuralism and digital subjectivity
- Critical media philosophy of human-machine interaction
Latest news
Constanze Kurz, spokesperson for the Chaos Computer Club, and I will discuss my new book “AI and the New Fascism” together at Urania Berlin — on the very day of the book launch (in German language)!
Admission: €8, reduced: €5, members: €3
Event info + tickets - pre-order (print) from the publisher - publisher's pdf preview
A session for students from grade 9 and up to reflect together on what ChatGPT is doing to us!
ChatGPT is a real help when it comes to writing texts, and using AI in learning can make things easier. But what remains of my own thoughts, my ideas, my personality when I hand over language and the content of my thinking?
Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 10:00 AM
COMEDIA Theater, Roter Saal, Vondelstraße 4–8, Cologne-Südstadt
There’s no AI ethics without addressing power.
In this book, Rainer Mühlhoff lays the foundation for a Power-Aware Ethics of AI – bridging critical philosophy, Science and Technology Studies, and media theory to rethink ethics in the age of networked media and data-driven AI.
- he introduces the concept of Human-Aided AI
- explores how power, UX design, and subjectification intertwine
- revisits the history of AI and cybernetics
- critiques the idea that all biases can be “fixed” by technical means
- makes the case for collective ethics and responsibility
- calls for stronger regulation of AI
- and concludes with a “Manifesto for a Power-Aware Ethics of AI”
Open Access, published by Bristol University Press. Full text available as well.
This project grew out of his lecture series at the University of Osnabrück – heartfelt thanks to all the students for their invaluable engagement and enthusiastic feedback.
What happens when artificial intelligence is used to control government processes - and increasingly undermines democratic principles?
In the USA, we are already seeing the radical restructuring of the rule of law: tens of thousands of state employees have been laid off, while unelected tech billionaires like Elon Musk are taking control of political and administrative processes.
The working group "Ethics and Critical Theories of Artificial Intelligence" at Osnabrück University invites you to discuss the protection of our democracy in times of techno-authoritarian politics. Contributions from science and art shed light on the connection between AI and ultra-right-wing movements.
Discussion in German · Theater am Domhof, 7-9 p.m.
Free admission, free tickets required via the theater box office at karten@theater-osnabrueck.de. Further information at https://outreachlab.org/KI-und-Zukunft-der-Demokratie and https://rainermuehlhoff.de/en/KI-Zukunft-Demokratie-Event/
The toxic alliance between Trump and Musk currently demonstrates an anti-democratic desire for political power within the tech industry. Discourses about superintelligence and transhumanism are spilling over into Europe, influencing startup and economic policies here as well. We must push back!
Talk together with Aline Blankertz, 17:30–18:00, Stage 5 (in German).
In recent years, big tech and AI companies have put much effort into promoting their vision of rapid AI advancement as the only path forward. But is this truly the only option? What interests lie behind these grand narratives, and which alternative futures are being sidelined?
This new article investigates how the AI industry shapes collective visions of the future to bolster its economic power, drawing parallels to the tactics used by fossil fuel companies in the 20th century. The AI-driven futures they promote often lead to exclusionary and unsustainable "elitist futures", characterized by power consolidation and persistent inequalities. Furthermore, these visions echo a colonial legacy of extractive expansion, portraying the future as a frontier to be conquered.
It is urgent and necessary to demystify how the AI industry constructs these collective future visions for its own benefit. This allows to better inform transformative actions and strive for truly sustainable and inclusive futures.
Witschas, Annemarie. Prefabricated futures: AI imaginaries between elitist visions and social justice claims. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & KG, 2025.