CAISzeit – The Podcast
What kind of digital society do we actually want to live in? CAISzeit is dedicated to this very question. In the podcast of the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), we discuss with researchers from various disciplines how the digital transformation is changing our society.
What dangers are there in the digital space and what potential does it open up? Which digital innovations will determine the future? How are digital technologies already changing the way we work, inform ourselves and form our opinions? Against the backdrop of scientific research, we look with our guests at multifaceted phenomena of digitalization. Digital transformation is more than a purely technological phenomenon. As a socio-technical process, it is already shaping politics, the economy, the media, culture and our entire social life.
In CAISzeit, we talk to researchers about the phenomena of digitization. In addition to addressing the risks, we focus on looking constructively into the future and finding possible solutions.
Dr. Matthias Begenat, Head of Science Communication
Credits
Intro/Outro Music: ccbysa4.0 tastenspieler
intro/outro narrator: Laura Habke
Editorial Team
Host: Dr. Matthias Begenat
Contributor/Research: Bjona Thaci
Current episode
Language Machines: A Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence – with Roberto Simanowski & Jana Baum
Together with host Dr. Matthias Begenat, Roberto Simanowski and Jana Baum discuss how language models are changing thinking, knowledge, and philosophy.
Anything but Generic: In conversation with author and media scholar Roberto Simanowski and CAIS researcher Jana Baum from the research program Digital Democratic Innovations, we discuss the implications of the mathematical logic behind language machines. What is the relationship between AI generated output and knowledge? Which abilities do we lose through the use of Large Language Models, and is there also something to gain? And what role does philosophy play in the debate on AI?
About the Book:
Sprachmaschinen – Eine Philosophie der künstlichen Intelligenz
Roberto Simanowski
C.H.BECK
ISBN 978-3-406-83753-1
Roberto Simanowski is a cultural scholar, media philosopher, and author of 15 books on the art, culture, and politics of digital media. Among them is the book “Language Machines: A Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence” (2025).
Jana Baum is a research associate in the CAIS research program “Digital Democratic Innovations”. Her research interest is to explore questions of subjectivity and self-determination in the context of digitality and artificial intelligence.
All episodes
Language Machines: A Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence – with Roberto Simanowski & Jana Baum
Together with host Dr. Matthias Begenat, Roberto Simanowski and Jana Baum discuss how language models are changing thinking, knowledge, and philosophy.
Welcome to the Uncanny Valley: Artificial Avatars and Real Trust in Science Communication – With Jasmin Baake
When do artificial avatars help in science communication – and when do they destroy our trust? Jasmin Baake researches AI-generated avatars and discusses the uncanny valley phenomenon on the CAISzeit podcast with host Dr. Matthias Begenat.
Agile Science – Research in Sprints? – With Samuel T. Simon
Green Innovations (Un)wanted? The “Pop-Up Citizen Lab” as a New Form of Citizen Participation – With Pauline Heger
Hidden Rules, Visible Consequences: Who Moderates Our Timeline?
Exploring the Darknet: Between Safe Haven, Crime, and Conspiracy Theories
Audible Impact? How Podcasts Bring Research to the World. Guests – Dr. Charmaine Voigt and Birte Kuhle
Podcasts have long been an essential part of science communication. But what makes a science podcast successful? How can content be effectively and sustainably shared with the public? And which […]
Voting Under Time Pressure: Challenges of the 2025 Snap Bundestag Election – Guests: Anne Goldmann and Aryan Shooshtari
Can justice be programmed? Fairness and transparency in algorithms. Guest: Miriam Fahimi
Algorithms determine our lives: From the content we see on social media to the loans we are granted.