Introduction to Digital Humanism
A Textbook
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Beschreibung
This open access textbook introduces and defines digital humanism from a diverse range of disciplines. Following the 2019 Vienna Manifesto, the book calls for a digital humanism that describes, analyzes, and, most importantly, influences the complex interplay of technology and humankind, for a better society and life, fully respecting universal human rights.
The book is organized in three parts: Part I “Background” provides the multidisciplinary background needed to understand digital humanism in its philosophical, cultural, technological, historical, social, and economic dimensions. The goal is to present the necessary knowledge upon which an effective interdisciplinary discourse on digital humanism can be founded. Part II “Digital Humanism – a System’s View” focuses on an in-depth presentation and discussion of the main digital humanism concerns arising in current digital systems. The goal of this part is to make readers aware and sensitive to these issues, including e.g. thecontrol and autonomy of AI systems, privacy and security, and the role of governance. Part III “Critical and Societal Issues of Digital Systems” delves into critical societal issues raised by advances of digital technologies. While the public debate in the past has often focused on them separately, especially when they became visible through sensational events the aim here is to shed light on the entire landscape and show their interconnected relationships. This includes issues such as AI and ethics, fairness and bias, privacy and surveillance, platform power and democracy.This textbook is intended for students, teachers, and policy makers interested in digital humanism. It is designed for stand-alone and for complementary courses in computer science, or curricula in science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. Each chapter includes questions for students and an annotated reading list to dive deeper into the associated chapter material. The book aims to provide readers with as wide an exposure as possible to digital advances and their consequences for humanity. It includes constructive ideas and approaches that seek to ensure that our collective digital future is determined through human agency.
This open access textbook introduces and defines digital humanism from a diverse range of disciplines. Following the 2019 Vienna Manifesto, the book calls for a digital humanism that describes, analyzes, and, most importantly, influences the complex interplay of technology and humankind, for a better society and life, fully respecting universal human rights.
The book is organized in three parts: Part I “Background” provides the multidisciplinary background needed to understand digital humanism in its philosophical, cultural, technological, historical, social, and economic dimensions. The goal is to present the necessary knowledge upon which an effective interdisciplinary discourse on digital humanism can be founded. Part II “Digital Humanism – a System’s View” focuses on an in-depth presentation and discussion of the main digital humanism concerns arising in current digital systems. The goal of this part is to make readers aware and sensitive to these issues, including e.g. thecontrol and autonomy of AI systems, privacy and security, and the role of governance. Part III “Critical and Societal Issues of Digital Systems” delves into critical societal issues raised by advances of digital technologies. While the public debate in the past has often focused on them separately, especially when they became visible through sensational events the aim here is to shed light on the entire landscape and show their interconnected relationships. This includes issues such as AI and ethics, fairness and bias, privacy and surveillance, platform power and democracy.This textbook is intended for students, teachers, and policy makers interested in digital humanism. It is designed for stand-alone and for complementary courses in computer science, or curricula in science, engineering, humanities and social sciences. Each chapter includes questions for students and an annotated reading list to dive deeper into the associated chapter material. The book aims to provide readers with as wide an exposure as possible to digital advances and their consequences for humanity. It includes constructive ideas and approaches that seek to ensure that our collective digital future is determined through human agency.
This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access Discusses digital humanism in contexts such as AI, platform power, surveillance, democracy and technology ethics Each chapter focuses on a specific topic and includes questions to be answered and an annotated reading list Chapters are written by computer scientists, philosophers, social scientists, political journalists and law experts
Autor*in
Hannes Werthner
Themen in »Introduction to Digital Humanism«
ethics in computer science responsible technologies legal issues and regulation data privacy digitalization digital economy digital humanism social responsibility Open Access
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"Introduction to digital humanism offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary look at the rapidly evolving field of digital humanism. ... The textbook’s multidisciplinary approach makes it suitable for students, policymakers, and educators across various fields, including computer science, the social sciences, and the humanities. ... This textbook is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding and shaping the digital future in a way that promotes human agency and social responsibility." (Wael Badawy, Computing Reviews, February 28, 2025)
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“Introduction to Digital Humanism articulates a powerful case for a human-centric digital transformation. It makes an invaluable contribution to one of the most critical debates of our time.” (Anu Bradford, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA)
“The spectacular rise of AI implies considerable potential benefits, but also upheavals and risks that could call into question man's privileged role as master of his own destiny, thanks to the development and application of knowledge. Will we be able to make the most of this technology while preserving the fundamental values of our civilization? The publication of this book is a timely contribution to a debate that will continue for years to come, and whose outcome will be decisive for mankind.” (Joseph Sifakis, Université Grenoble Alpes, France)
“At last, the first step toward an operating manual for how to be human in a digital world. If you want to be effectively in action preserving people and planet, this is a MUST READ.” (Mei Lin Fung, Co-Chair (co-founder with Vint Cerf) of the People Centered Internet, Palo Alto, CA, USA)
“Humanists must play a leading role in helping humanity coexist successfully with increasingly powerful technology. Reading this supremely fascinating collection is the best way I know of to prepare for that task.” (Stuart J. Russell, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA)
“More than ever we need to seriously think about the impact and challenges posed by digital technology on mankind. This landmark, much-welcomed book provides comprehensive coverage, by recognized experts, of the issues along its multiple dimensions. Essential reading for students of all disciplines!” (Axel van Lamsweerde, University of Louvain, Belgium)
“How can we use our smart digital tools and technologies and at the same time ensure that they remain tools and do not mutate into authorities to which we subordinate ourselves due to lack of time, convenience or excessive demands? One answer to this question is digital humanism. It posits that humans not only remain “in the loop” when using AI algorithms, systems or models, but must be at the center of their development and application. The new volume impressively shows how big and varied the challenges we face are – but also how rich the pool of answers to these challenges already is: from approaches to realizing transparency, comprehensibility and correctability of artificial intelligence systems, to legal regulatory efforts and new forms of digital democracy. The volume provides not only a comprehensive and timely overview and introduction to a topical subject, but also a range of solution approaches. As such it will inform the discussions on artificial intelligence and its use that we need to have in the near future.” (Manuela Lenzen, Technology Writer and Author of “Der elektronische Spiegel”, Germany)
“An optimistic, refreshing perspective on Digital Humanism, focused on what we can do to change technology and our relation with it, instead of simply mitigating its effects or resorting to ineffective anti-technological barricades. Inspired by the tradition of the Vienna Circle, this book actively contributes to the recent developments around Digital Humanism and the Vienna Manifesto. It presents a wide diversity of views and opinions that serve as food for thought. The common structure of all chapters, with questions for students and further reading, makes this volume an indispensable source for courses in digital humanism and related topics, and many of its chapters are also of great value if used independently. If a New Enlightenment is what we need, this book will contribute decisively.” (José Hernández-Orallo, Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, Cambridge, UK)
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