The CAIS Conference will take place on 9 and 10 October. It brings together international researchers, experts, and practitioners in a creative atmosphere for open exchange of ideas. At the conference, digital transformation will be discussed not only as a technical change, but as digitally shapeable social spaces: How can we strengthen digital spaces as democratic public spheres? How can we develop creative learning environments for a connected generation? And how can we design data spaces that combine responsibility and innovation? The goal is a digital future that is open, democratic, and sustainable.
As a special highlight, the Minister of Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Brandes, together with CAIS Director Prof. Dr. Tim Majchrzak, TU Dortmund Rector Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer, and information scientist Prof. Dr. Katrin Weller (GESIS, HHU Düsseldorf), will discuss the role of academic freedom in digital times during the panel discussion “Academic Freedom: Foundations for the Future”.
The program combines scientific excellence with openness for exchange and creativity. This is reflected in three central thematic areas: public digital spaces and their role for debate culture and democracy, learning spaces for the digital age, and interdisciplinary data spaces and the responsible use of data.
“Digital spaces are no longer a niche but are shaping the foundations of our social coexistence. With our conference, we as CAIS want to contribute to critically reflecting on and advancing the design of digital futures in an interdisciplinary way. Our goal is to open an idea workshop for research, public debates, and practical design ideas,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Tim A. Majchrzak, Scientific Director of CAIS.
The conference deliberately focuses on dialogue and interaction. Workshops and hands-on sessions in the Makerspace create spaces for freedom, allowing ideas not only to be discussed but also further developed together. In addition, there will be classic formats such as lectures and lightning talks.
On the former Opel site, which is being developed as a future district, the conference connects past and future. Where innovations usually emerge, 3D printers hum, and creative minds experiment, a laboratory for shaping digital society is being created today.
With “Creating Spaces for Digital Futures”, CAIS creates a forum that not only asks questions but also opens spaces – for international impulses, constructive discussions, and ideas for shaping our digital future.
Creating Spaces for Digital Futures
Date: 9–10 October 2025
Venue: Makerspace RUB, Suttner-Nobel-Allee 4, 44803 Bochum
Conference language: English
Further information about the program can be found here: https://www.cais-research.de/creating-spaces-for-digital-futures/
About the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS)
Since April 2021, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia has been providing long-term support for the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) in Bochum as a central institute for digitalization research. Through evidence-based recommendations, CAIS contributes to shaping digital transformation in the interest of people. Founded in early 2017 as an institute for advanced study, CAIS has since been awarding fellowships to national and international guest researchers in the field of digitalization research. In three research programs on the topics of digital democratic innovations, educational technologies and artificial intelligence, and the design of trustworthy artificial intelligence, as well as in the research focus on social cohesion in digital media environments, interdisciplinary teams study the challenges of digital transformation. At CAIS, disciplines ranging from the social sciences and humanities to computer science are closely linked, and research results are tested and applied in practice.