In the Service of a Strong Digital-Political Civil Society

The Vontobel Foundation is supporting AlgorithmWatch CH from 2025 to 2028 with core funding, aiming to help shape the debate on algorithms and Artificial Intelligence while raising awareness of these issues and empowering society accordingly.

AlgorithmWatch is a non-profit organization based in Zurich and Berlin. It is committed to ensuring that algorithms and Artificial Intelligence strengthen justice, democracy, human rights, and sustainability. Through concrete research projects, AlgorithmWatch examines the risks and impacts of algorithms and AI on specific areas of society, while also addressing ethical questions.

As great as the potential of algorithms and AI is, their effects on fundamental rights, public opinion, health, education, equal opportunities, and sustainability can be equally significant – impacting the very foundations of democracy. Raising awareness and empowering society, along with adopting a civil society perspective, are crucial for sustainably shaping the debate with factual insights and promoting the common good.

Looking ahead, democratically legitimized frameworks for algorithms and AI will be needed to ensure that they are developed and deployed transparently and understandably. Democratic society must be able to supervise and control the technology, with accountability and responsibility fully ensured.

AlgorithmWatch pursues evidence-based advocacy: based on scientific studies, investigative journalistic research, and policy analyses, the organization formulates demands, conveys them through policy work and campaigns, and raises awareness via public outreach and educational initiatives.

The Vontobel Foundation supports AlgorithmWatch CH with long-term core funding, enabling the organization to act flexibly and impactfully in a very dynamic field.

 

Picture Credit overview page:
Copyright: AlgorithmWatch CH / Graphic: Khari Slaughter