Realising public values in the algorithmic society: a recap of AlgoSoc's conference

As algorithms and artificial intelligence play an ever-larger role in our societies, they raise urgent questions about the future we want to create. Technological advances offer tremendous opportunities, but also challenge how we safeguard public values such as fairness, privacy, and transparency.

These are not just technical issues — they are societal choices that demand critical reflection and public debate. Recent developments show how technology and political power are increasingly intertwined. What happens when powerful actors control the technologies that shape public discourse and decision-making? And what are the consequences when public values are at stake in struggles between private interests, governments, and citizens?

The AlgoSoc conference Realising Public Values in the Algorithmic Society (10-11 April 2025, Amsterdam) aimed to shift the focus from technology and the promise of innovation to the political, economic, and societal contexts in which technologies evolve.

The conference was inherently interdisciplinary. With nearly 300 participants from 23 countries, it brought together scholars, regulators, media professionals, civil society organisations, and many other stakeholders. The event featured 50 paper presentations, 3 keynotes, 10 panel discussions, 32 poster sessions — and an AI-based art exhibition by our friends at AICON.

🎬 Watch our aftermovie below and read our conference report for summaries of the keynotes and panel discussions.

As a teaser, here are some of the key lessons we drew from the conference (see below):

1. Broadening AI Research and Governance from a Tech-Focused to a Societal Perspective

In her keynote, Natali Helberger argued that to truly serve the public good, AI governance must shift focus from technical design to societal impact—placing power dynamics, human oversight, and public values at the heart of research, regulation, and innovation.

2. Rethinking Public Values and AI Governance in the Algorithmic Age

This panel emphasised that embedding public values in AI governance requires interdisciplinary collaboration, democratic control over digital infrastructures, and a stronger civic role for researchers in shaping and scrutinising technological change.

3. A Sphere-Centric Framework of Justice for the Algorithmic Society

In her thought-provoking keynote, Tamar Sharon proposed that digital technologies must respect the unique values of societal spheres like education, health, and politics—protecting their autonomy from tech-driven values such as efficiency and control.

4. Europe’s Digital Agenda in a Polarised World

Panelists stressed that to uphold public values in a fragmented global landscape, Europe must invest in sovereign digital infrastructures, challenge Big Tech dominance, and reinforce democratic institutions and academic freedom.

5. Application of AI in Healthcare

This discussion highlighted that while AI in healthcare holds great promise, progress must be rooted in cross-disciplinary collaboration, attention to data limitations, and ethical reflection on the trade-offs between innovation, equity, and care.

6. AI in the Courtroom: Realism and Oversight

As AI enters the judiciary, panelists stressed that human oversight, legal clarity, and transparency are vital to safeguard judicial independence, public trust, and the legitimacy of algorithmic tools in courts.

7. The Future of News Consumption

Algorithmic news delivery is reshaping how citizens engage with public information—raising urgent questions about exposure, diversity, and the role of platforms in sustaining democratic discourse.

8. Responsible Machine Learning in AI Health Applications

This panel concluded that deploying AI responsibly in healthcare requires legal accountability, integration of domain expertise, and continuous evaluation—ensuring that such systems enhance, rather than complicate, medical practice.

9. Algorithmic Harms, Justice, and Remedies

Ensuring justice in the algorithmic society requires systems that can be contested, inclusive design processes, and public education—making space for affected communities to challenge automated decisions and seek redress.

10. Systemic Risks of (Generative) AI

Panelists agreed that systemic risks can’t be addressed through internal audits alone—governance must be participatory, transparent, and shaped by diverse stakeholders beyond the tech industry.

11. Computational Infrastructures and Alternatives

Europe’s digital sovereignty hinges on developing public, open, and collaborative alternatives to Big Tech cloud infrastructures—grounded in public values and protected from securitisation.

12. Preventing the Disruption of Democracy

In her keynote, Marietje Schaake warned against the rise of “CEO-kings” and urged Europe to counter democratic erosion by investing in transparency, robust public information systems, and alliances for technological independence.

13. From Regulation to Resilience: Protecting Democracy in the Age of AI

This final panel called for a shift from regulation to resilience—through education, social innovation, academic engagement, and a shared vision for a democratic digital future.