commbox Artificial Intelligence & Algorithms

Artificial Intelligence & Algorithms

Filter

413

Sort by:

Direction:

Download (26)

Generative AI in Journalism

Emmanuel Bahindi, Antonio Kisembo, Echeru Rodney Oluma

Kampala: AI Media Lab, Media Challenge Initiative (2026), 31 pp.

"This paper is a practical and critical guide to creating with generative AI in journalism. It maps the four modalities, text, image, audio and video, and what generative tools genuinely do in the newsroom; it sets out the disclosure and labelling standards now hardening into law, from the EU AI Act ... more

External Link (26)

Three Reasons African Mobile Money Programs Have a $1.7 Trillion AI Problem

Wayan Vota

ICTworks (2026)

"Mobile money is the one unambiguous success story in digital development. In 2024, 2.1 billion registered accounts processed 108 billion transactions worth $1.68 trillion, a 20% jump in transaction volume year-on-year. Sub-Saharan Africa holds over one billion of those accounts. For a field that en ... more

Download (106)

Companion AI: Risiken von sykophantischen und suchtfördernden Designs von KI-Systemen, ihre rechtliche Erfassung und Handlungsempfehlungen
Deep Insights

Ramak Molavi-Vasse’i

Berlin: Zentrum für Digitalrechte und Demokratie (2026), 82 pp.

"Diese Studie untersucht Risiken von KI-Systemen, die im fortlaufenden Dialog mit Nutzern Emotionen erkennen, persönliche Bedürfnisse adressieren und darauf reagieren. Chatbots mit dieser Funktionalität werden als Companion-AI bezeichnet. Sie sind hochgradig personalisiert und treten Nutzern als ... soziales Gegenüber entgegen, das freundschaftliche, romantische oder sexuelle Nähe simuliert. Menschen können zu solchen Systemen eine emotionale Bindung aufbauen. Der Fokus liegt nicht nur auf spezifischen Companion-Anwendungen wie Replika oder Character.AI, sondern auch auf Universalmodellen wie ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok oder Meta-AI. Diese Systeme werden zunehmend für persönliche, emotionale und beratende Gespräche genutzt. Die Untersuchung kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass Companion-AI mehrere eng miteinander verbundene Risikodimensionen erzeugt. Psychische und physische Gesundheit: Companion-AI trifft auf eine Gesellschaft, in der Einsamkeit und psychische Belastungen zunehmen, während professionelle Versorgungsangebote knapp sind. Die möglichen Risiken sind klinisch belegt. Die Nutzung kann psychische Belastungen verursachen oder verstärken und in Einzelfällen gravierende Gesundheitsfolgen auslösen. Dokumentiert sind die Verschlimmerung psychotischer Zustände, die Verstärkung depressiver Muster und Angststörungen, suchtartige Bindungen mit Entzugssymptomen sowie die Erosion sozialer Kompetenzen, etwa eine messbar reduzierte Konfliktfähigkeit nach längerer Interaktion mit Companion-AI. Öffentlich bekannt gewordene Vorfälle sind in der Vorfall-Datenbank der Studie dokumentiert. Eingriff in die Privatsphäre: Companion-AI animieren Nutzer kontinuierlich zur Selbstoffenbarung und greifen damit in sensible Gedanken und die intime Gefühlssphäre der Nutzer ein. Zugleich ermöglicht die fortlaufende Interaktion eine zunehmend verdichtete Profilbildung. Entscheidungsautonomie und demokratische Meinungsbildung: Companion-AI können sowohl die Qualität von Informationen als auch die Entscheidungsautonomie der Bürger beeinträchtigen. Die Mechanismen, die Nähe und Vertrauen erzeugen, beeinflussen zugleich die Generierung, Aufnahme und Gewichtung von Informationen. Sykophanz, also die unkritische Bestätigung von Nutzeransichten, beeinträchtigt Genauigkeit und Verlässlichkeit der Antworten messbar. Sprachmodelle werden zunehmend als primäre Quelle der Informationssuche genutzt. Wenn dieselben Systeme Informationen erzeugen, beschaffen und präsentieren, fallen Selektion und Aufbereitung in einer Hand zusammen. Werbe- und interessengeleitete Einflussnahme greift dann nicht mehr nur in einzelne Kaufentscheidungen ein, sondern in die Voraussetzungen öffentlicher Meinungs- und demokratischer Willensbildung." (Executive summary, Seite 5) more

External Link (136)

We Have an Artificial Intelligence Definition Problem in ICT4D

Wayan Vota

ICTworks (2026)

"A new study in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science surveyed 200 women micro-entrepreneurs in Bengaluru and reported that 32.5% of them are “actively using at least one AI-enabled tool” in their businesses. The tools, according to the paper, include KhataBook ( ... more

Download (126)

From Crisis to Renewal: Addressing AI’s Impact on Our Information Ecosystem

Lena-Maria Böswald, Roa Powell, Tyreese Calnan

Berlin: Interface – Tech Analysis and Policy Ideas for Europe (2026), 18 pp.

"As AI summaries summarise information directly within search results, they can significantly reduce traffic to news publishers. Evidence suggests users are less likely to click through to original sources when AIOs are present on Google, threatening the financial viability of journalism. These impa ... cts from AI summaries and AIOs in particular are unlikely to be evenly distributed and will play out in different ways across the news sector across Europe, with smaller and ad-funded outlets particularly vulnerable, raising concerns about declining media plurality. At the same time, AI-generated summaries often fail to provide accurate and diverse information. Research shows that AI tools disproportionately rely on a narrow set of sources, marginalising smaller publishers. In addition, persistent issues with accuracy – including misleading or incorrect outputs – risk distorting public understanding and weakening trust in information systems. Current regulatory frameworks in both the EU and UK are struggling to address these challenges effectively. While multiple legal instruments are relevant and already in place – including competition law, platform regulation, copyright, and AI governance – none are fully equipped to respond quickly and comprehensively to the harms of monopolisation and the lack of remuneration for media outlets posed by AI summaries. We argue that competition policy offers the most effective and immediate route to intervention, with digital regulation serving as a secondary lever. The UK’s approach, based on flexible, case-specific competition rules, enables faster action through tailored conduct requirements for dominant firms like Google. In contrast, the EU’s framework is broader but slower, relying more heavily on traditional, time-intensive antitrust investigations and ongoing debates around copyright and remuneration for publishers. Both systems offer complementary strengths, and policymakers should learn from each other’s approaches. We therefore recommend a “competition-first” policy package to ensure fairer outcomes. Key measures include enforcing fair ranking and attribution practices, preventing unauthorised use of publisher content, and potentially requiring platforms to compensate news organisations. However, competition policy alone is not the key. We therefore propose additional long-term interventions, including greater transparency through “nutrition labels” for AI-generated content and increased public or democratic funding for journalism. These measures aim to strengthen the resilience and independence of the news sector, ensuring that trustworthy information remains accessible in an information ecosystem shaped by AI. more

External Link (201)

Preserving Human Voices and Faces. Message of his Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the 60th World Day of Social Communication

Leo XIV (Pope)

Vatican City: Holy See, January 24 (2026)

"The task laid before us is not to stop digital innovation, but rather to guide it and to be aware of its ambivalent nature. It is up to each of us to raise our voice in defense of human persons, so that we can truly assimilate these tools as allies. This alliance is possible, but needs to be based ... on three pillars: responsibility, cooperation and education. First of all, responsibility. Depending on the role we play, responsibility can be understood as honesty, transparency, courage, farsightedness, the duty of sharing knowledge or the right to be informed. As a general principle, however, no one can elude personal responsibility for the future we are building. For those at the helm of online platforms, this means ensuring that their business strategies are not guided solely by the criterion of profit maximization, but also by a forward-looking vision that considers the common good, just as each of them cares for the well-being of their own children. The creators and developers of AI models are invited to practice transparency and socially responsibility in regard to the design principles and moderation systems underlying their algorithms and the models they develop, in order to promote informed consent on the part of users. The same responsibility is also required of national legislators and supranational regulators, whose task it is to ensure respect for human dignity. Appropriate regulation can protect individuals from forming emotional attachments to chatbots and curb the spread of false, manipulative or misleading content, safeguarding the integrity of information as opposed to its deceptive simulation. [...] We are all called upon to cooperate. No sector can tackle the challenge of steering digital innovation and AI governance alone. Safeguards must therefore be put in place. All stakeholders — from the tech industry to legislators, from creative companies to academia, from artists to journalists and educators — must be involved in building and implementing informed and responsible digital citizenship. Education aims to do precisely this: To increase our personal ability to think critically; evaluate whether our sources are trustworthy and the possible interests behind selecting the information we have access to; to understand the psychological mechanisms involved; and to enable our families, communities and associations to develop practical criteria for a healthier and more responsible culture of communication. For this reason, it is increasingly urgent to introduce media, information and AI literacy into education systems at all levels, as already promoted by some civil institutions. As Catholics, we can and must contribute to this effort, so that individuals — especially young people — can acquire critical thinking skills and grow in freedom of spirit. This literacy should also be integrated into broader lifelong learning initiatives, reaching out to older adults and marginalized members of society, who often feel excluded and powerless in the face of rapid technological change. Media, information and AI literacy will help individuals avoid conforming to the anthropomorphizing tendencies of AI systems, and enable them to treat these systems as tools and always employ external validation of the sources provided by AI systems — which could be inaccurate or incorrect. Literacy will also allow for better privacy and data protection through increased awareness of security parameters and complaint options." (https://www.comunicazione.va/en/giornata-mondiale-comunicazioni-sociali/gmcs-2026/gmcs-2026-messaggio.html) more

Download (22)

AI, Data Journalism and Investigative Reporting in Africa

Emmanuel Bahindi, Antonio Kisembo, Echeru Rodney Oluma

Kampala: Media Challenge Initiative (2026), 32 pp.

"This paper examines AI, data journalism and investigative reporting in Africa. It sets out the data-investigation pipeline and where AI genuinely helps; it surveys the African data-journalism ecosystem, from Code for Africa to GIJN to InfoNile; it documents real investigations, from East African pr ... more

Download (136)

Measuring what matters: How to assess AI’s environmental impact

Geneva: ITU (2025), viii, 21 pp.

This report synthesizes key findings from a diverse range of sources, including academic literature, corporate sustainability initiatives, and emerging environmental tracking tools. Collectively, these documents provide a thorough overview of current methodologies for evaluating the environmental im ... more

External Link (230)

Antiqua et Nova: Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Dicastery for Culture and Education

Vatican City: Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; Dicastery for Culture and Education (2025)

"[...] it is crucial to know how to evaluate individual applications of AI in particular contexts to determine whether its use promotes human dignity, the vocation of the human person, and the common good. As with many technologies, the effects of the various uses of AI may not always be predictabl ... more

Download (150)

An Autonomy-Based Classification: AI Agents, Liability and Lessons from the Automated Vehicles Act

Lisa Soder, Julia Smakman, Connor Dunlop, Oliver Sussman

Berlin: Interface; Ada Lovelace Institute (2025), 28 pp.

Download (103)

Guidelines for the mindful and ethical use of AI

Aachen: Catholic Media Council (CAMECO) (2025), 2 pp.

Understand AI and its Tools -- Understand Algorithms -- Maintain a Critical Perspective -- Protect Your Data—And Others' Too -- Stay Informed about AI Ethics and Policy -- Use AI Thoughtfully—Not for Everything

Download (91)

Pathways to Inclusion: Advancing Civil Society’s Role in AI Governance: Evidence from and for the Global Majority

Paola Gálvez Callirgos

Geneva: Globethics Publications (2025), 58 pp.

"This policy brief investigates the role of civil society on AI Governance with particular attention to the Global Majority. The research question explores whether civil society serves as an effective counterbalance to concentrated power in the AI ecosystem to ensure AI systems reflect diverse publi ... more

Download (160)

Companion Document: The Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms and Generative Artificial Intelligence

Paris: UNESCO (2025), 34 pp.

"The Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms outline a set of responsibilities, duties, and recommendations relevant to the governance of generative AI. These include fostering an enabling environment for freedom of expression and access to information; establishing independent governance ... more

Download (127)

Engines of Order: A Mechanology of Algorithmic Techniques

Bernhard Rieder

Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press (2025), 351 pp.

"Software has become a key component of contemporary life and algorithms that rank, classify, or recommend are everywhere. Building on the philosophy of Gilbert Simondon and the cultural techniques tradition, this book examines the constructive and cumulative character of software and retraces the h ... more

Download (130)

Humans and AI: differences, opportunities, threats. Reflections around the Note Antiqua et Nova

Dariusz Kowalczyk

Christianity – World - Politics, issue 29 (2025), pp. 139-157

"The article, drawing on the Vatican document Antiqua et nova and Leo XIV’s proclamation of his intention to confront the challenge of new digital technologies, addresses the relationship between natural intelligence, notably human intelligence, and artificial intelligence. In this context, the au ... more

Download (120)

Künstliche Intelligenz in politischen Kampagnen: Akzeptanz, Wahrnehmung und Wirkung

Simon Kruschinski, Pablo Jost, Hannah Fecher, Tobias Scherer

Frankfurt am Main: Otto Brenner Stiftung (2025), 108 pp.

"Im ersten Teil geben wir einen Überblick über den Einsatz von generativer KI in der politischen Kampagnenkommunikation. Insbesondere die generativen KI-Tools ChatGPT und Midjourney werden zunehmend in politischen Kampagnen eingesetzt, um menschenähnliche Texte beziehungsweise fotorealistische Bi ... more

Download (125)

AI and Data Science Bootcamp for Women and Minoritised Groups: Impact Report

Luisa Olaya, Deshni Govender, Abeera Dubey, Jocelyn Mukamisha, Mary Seiwah

Bonn; Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); FAIR Forward; Intel (2025), vii, 35 pp.

"The AI and Data Science Bootcamp for Women and Minoritised Groups was designed to actively address the diversity gap in the AI field by lowering the entry barriers that women and minoritised groups face and empowering them with advanced technical and personal development skills to succeed in the AI ... more

Download (25)

Artificial Intelligence in Newsrooms: Case Study on Al-Mamlaka TV

Omar Abdallah Al-Zoubi, Normahfuzah Ahmad, Norsiah. Abdul Hamid

Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, volume 41, issue 1 (2025), pp. 35–51

"The reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in newsrooms has become increasingly common worldwide. This technology is used to enhance the efficiency of news gathering, editing, and distribution. Despite the numerous benefits that can be gained from these technologies, they also create many profess ... more

Developing an Artificial Intelligence Maturity Assessment Framework for South Africa. First Annual AI Maturity Assessment 2025

Bonn; Eschborn: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All; University of the Western Cape (UWC) (2025), 107 pp.

"The South African AI MAF serves as a foundational tool for guiding the country’s progress towards AI maturity and is tailored to the country’s unique socioeconomic, cultural, and technological realities. It furthermore aligns with broader continental ambitions (i.e. African Union’s 2024 Conti ... nental AI Strategy), which reflects a strong commitment to leveraging AI for sustainable development. This implies the ethical and inclusive development and implementation of AI in ways that address local challenges. In South Africa, GIZ, through the FAIR Forward project, has collaborated closely with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and researchers from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to develop the AI Maturity Assessment Framework (AI MAF) for South Africa. A design-science methodology was applied to develop the AI MAF for South Africa. The approach involved a structured literature review process, co-design workshops with cross-sectoral stakeholders, expert interviews, validation workshops and external expert review. This first version of the AI MAF consists of eight domains: Domain 1: International and Continental Profile as AI Leader Domain 2: An Enabling Regulatory Environment Domain 3: Citizen Engagement With and Empowerment Through AI Domain 4: Education and Workforce Enablement Domain 5: Innovation and Research Domain 6: Growth of the AI Ecosystem Domain 7: Data and Digital Infrastructure Domain 8: Security and Privacy Each domain includes sub-domains with specific indicators. A total of 68 indicators are included in this 2025 instrument, aimed at reflecting the country’s unique socioeconomic, cultural, and technological realities. An assessment instrument (rubric) to measure the level of maturity of these eight domains was adapted from the maturity measurement scale set out in ISO 37004 (Governance Maturity Model – Guidance). It reflects the structured progression of the ISO standards, employing a maturity scale that ranges from Level 0 (No evidence) to Level 5 (Continual optimisation or improvement). It is grounded in the principle of evidence-based assessment, evaluating maturity through the lens of activities and inputs (Levels 1–2) that lead to measurable outcomes and impact (Levels 3–5). The application of this instrument in the first iteration of assessing AI maturity in South Africa indicated that the country is in the early stages of AI maturity, with seven of the eight domains assessed at Levels 1–2 on the maturity scale, and only one domain reaching Level 3. This suggests that all domains demonstrate some level of foundational ‘input activities’, signalling a positive intent and growing awareness of the importance and relevance of AI, with some initial movement towards demonstrating positive outcomes. Overall, the generally low maturity scores indicate that progress across the domains is fragmented. This could be attributed to still limited strategic ecosystem coordination, targeted investment and capability building. The evidence-based approach enables a reflection of the South African landscape and supports strategic alignment across government, industry, and academia. The framework and interactive dashboard – developed through this project to enable accessible visualisation of the data – serve as foundational reference points for supporting South Africa’s evolving AI ecosystem. An AI agent developed as part of the initiative facilitates regular updates, helping ensure that the AI MAF remains a relevant strategic tool." (Executive summary, pages 8-10) more

Companion AI: Risiken von sykophantischen und suchtfördernden Designs von KI-Systemen, ihre rechtliche Erfassung und Handlungsempfehlungen Deep Insights

Companion AI: Risiken von sykophantischen und suchtfördernden Designs von KI-Systemen, ihre rechtliche Erfassung und Handlungsempfehlungen
Deep Insights