AW AlgorithmWatch gGmbH
Budget
€1,828,303
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
9
1.5 FTE
EU Grants
None
Mission & Goals
AlgorithmWatch is a human rights organization based in Berlin and Zurich. We fight for a world where algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) do not weaken justice, democracy, and sustainability but strengthen them. Our mission is to ensure that the use of algorithmic systems benefits the many, not the few. To achieve this mission, we - analyze the use of algorithmic decision-making processes and their effects on humans and societies; - explain the characteristics of and power structures behind these complex algorithmic decision-making processes; - develop effective frameworks governing the use of algorithmic systems, based on our research and scientific evidence - publicly call out misuses as well as discriminatory and other kinds of negative impacts of algorithmic systems on human rights and the public good, and campaign for effective transparency and accountability mechanisms.
EU Legislative Interests
Digital Services Act Artificial Intelligence Act and AI Omnibus package Energy Efficiency Directive & Cloud and AI Development Act Digital Fairness Act
Communication Activities
Throughout the reporting period, we have continued our advocacy work on the above listed policy files. Concerning the Digital Services Act, we analyzed the first risk reports submitted under the DSA. Furthermore, we had an exchange at a DSA Data Access workshop featuring the EU Commission and the German Bundesnetzagentur (German DSC). We coordinated, alongside the Mozilla Foundation and the DSA40 Data Access Collaboratory, a “mass data access request” on behalf of 20 partner organizations and maintain regular dialogue with DG CNECT to highlight the implementation challenges and to advocate for stronger enforcement mechanisms. Furthermore, we signed a CSO coalition position paper responding to VLOP/SEs DSA risk assessments. We were also invited by DG CNECT to give input on app stores and gender based violence. Concerning the Artificial Intelligence Act, we submitted our response in the stakeholder consultation by the EU Commission on the implementation of the rules for high-risk systems. We also submitted our input for the EU Commission’s consultation related to the guidelines on prohibited practice and the definition of AI in the AI Act. Moreover, we had conversations with the EU Commission’s AI Office about the AI Act implementation and preparations for a FRIA template. AlgorithmWatch also engaged with the Digital Omnibus package and submitted input co-developed with our network partners EDRi and Bündnis F5 to the EU Commission and the German Digital Ministry. Regarding the Energy Efficiency Directive and the proposed Cloud and AI Development Act, we participated in the public consultation processes for the Cloud and AI Development Act and the Strategic Roadmap for digitalisation and AI in the energy sector. We also co-drafted and published a civil society statement on energy and resource consumption of data centers. Regarding the Digital Fairness Act, we participated in the EU Commission’s public consultation process, highlighting key areas for digital fairness and existing regulatory gaps. Furthermore, we gave feedback to the “European Democracy Shield” call for evidence by the EU Commission in our Zukunft D alliance.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
We are part of the EU AI Alliance. F5-Bündnis: A coalition of Germany-based civil society organizations in the field of digital policies with a specific focus on German digital policies, website: . AlgorithmWatch has observer status at the Committee of Artificial Intelligence at the Council of Europe and actively contributes to its negotiations on a Convention on AI. Before, from 2020-2022, we had been observer to its predecessor, the Ad Hoc Committee on Artificial Intelligence CAHAI. FoME: the German platform for international media development initiatives https://fome.info/. AlgorithmWatch is member of the "Allianz für „Rechtssicherheit für politische Willensbildung“ e.V." https://www.zivilgesellschaft-ist-gemeinnuetzig.de/ Protect Not Surveil coalition is a group of activists, organizations, researchers and more working to ensure the EU AI Act safeguards people on the move from harms emanating from AI systems (https://protectnotsurveil.eu/).
Organisation Members
N/A
Additional Information
Our sister organization AlgorithmWatch CH, based in Switzerland, is a consortium partner in the project “FINDHR” in the framework of the Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101070212. Since Switzerland is currently not associated with Horizon Europe, the costs for the participation of AlgorithmWatch CH are covered by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 22.00151. The sister organization is legally and financially independent from AlgorithmWatch gGmbH, which this entry is about. AlgorithmWatch gGmbH does not receive any Horizone Europe or other types of EU funding.
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.