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Certificate Programme Digital Humanism
Shape the Digital Future with Human-Centered Values
Technology is transforming our world at an unprecedented pace. Artificial intelligence, data-driven systems and rapid digital transformation are reshaping the way we live, work and interact with one another. Understanding the ethical, social and human dimensions of these changes has never been more important than it is today.
The "Digital Humanism" certificate programme offers a unique opportunity to combine philosophical insights with practical tools for a responsible and value-driven digital transformation.
Designed for early-career professionals in technical, administration, management, education and research, the program equips participants with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with digital tools and actively shape their impact on society.
By exploring topics such as ethics, trust, creativity and the future of work participants gain a deeper understanding of how technology can be aligned with human dignity, social justice and democratic principles.
After completing the course, participants will be able to:
- Outline the conceptual basis and core principles of digital humanism and give practical, real-world examples of implementations of digital humanism.
- Distinguish between humanist and anti-humanist applications of new technologies such as AI through the example of alienation in digital work environments.
- Describe the connection between different concepts (trust, judgement, co-creativity and multimodal literacy) and digital humanism.
- Design practical approaches to include digital humanism in work organisations and decision-making.
- Compile ethical tools to evaluate engagement with AI and (large) data systems from a digital humanist perspective and transfer said tools to their work environment.
This course empowers learners to shape digital transformation in line with human dignity, democratic values, and ethical responsibility.
Modules
Introduction to Digital Humanism
- Basics of humanism and ethics in the digital age
- Principle of digital humanism, such as setting value and boundaries, co-creativity and multimodal literacy
- Good practises and examples from public administration, business and education
Co-Creativity
- Relevance of co-creativity in Digital Humanism
- Theory and practice of co-creativity
- Co-creative process involving engaged action, co-creative flow, novelty, ethics etc.
- Good practises and examples from education and business
Humanization and alienation of work processes
- Historical positioning of the concepts of work and alienation
- Definition of invisible work & mechanisms of invisible work within the AI industry
- Working conditions and the dehumanization of work through new technologies using the example of data labellers
- Opportunities or more humane working conditions in a digital world and practical examples
Trust and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- (Philosophical) conceptualizations of trust and trustworthiness with reference to the conflict between trust as self-interest and trust as ac-cepted vulnerability/risk
- The advantages and disadvantages of "trustworthy AI development" in terms of assertiveness and significance and the associated advantages of a humanistic concept of trust in relation to AI
- Political guidelines for the development of trustworthy AI (EU AI Act, OECD guidelines) as well as guidelines for companies on the ethical use of AI
Downloads (in german)
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Steuerliche Absetzbarkeit EEC Hochschullehrgänge Download icon(pdf 100,909 KB)
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Certificate Programme Ausbildungsvertrag EEC Download icon(pdf 148,234 KB)
Course Directors
Alexander Schmölz is Professor of Digital Humanism at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna, Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Digital Culture & Education (DCE) and Researcher-in-Residence at fit4internet. Main research interests: Humanism and digitalisation with a particular focus on governance, inclusion, co-creativity and digital competences as well as enabling and disabling pedagogical and political.
Pia-Zoe Hahne is a researcher on Digital Humanism at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna and a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Vienna. She is also part of the editorial board of the academic journal Digital Culture and Education. Her work focuses on philosophy of technology, AI ethics, and the relationship between societal actors and artificial intelligence. She graduated with honours with an MSc in Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology from Maastricht University.
