Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can now decide and act autonomously, and they do so faster than the institutions meant to govern them. At IDOS, our research closely follows these trends on three fronts. The first is governance: how global rules for AI are written, and how multistakeholder collaboration can be ensured for effective and inclusive governance. The second is capacity: how development organisations, media and civil society can keep pace, and substantively reform how development cooperation is organised to foster learning and improve delivery. Third, the effects of AI on democracy: malicious AI swarms already threaten electoral integrity, and agentic AI is changing what democracy protection stakeholders need to do in response.
Selected Publications
Reforming the development sector for agentic AI (and whatever comes next)
Sinanoglu, Semuhi (2026)
The Current Column of 07 May 2026
How AI can help development organisations learn
Roll, Michael / Lindsey Moore (2026)
The Current Column of 04 May 2026
The Future of Development Finance in Times of AI and Blockchain
Brandi, Clara / Max Büge (2026)
The Current Column of 27 April 2026
The basis, progress, and future of food and bioprocess with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques
Ndondo, Joseph Tendeukai Kunashe / Gamuchirai Trever, Musunda / Faith Angelline Manditsera / Saymore Ngonidzashe Kativu / Philemon Kwaramba (2026)
in: Tanbay Sarkar / Anandakumar Haldorai (eds.), Artificial Intelligence in Food Science, London: Academic Press, 23-42 (forthcoming)
How robust are machine learning approaches for improving food security amid crises? Evidence from COVID-19 in Uganda
Cao, Gewei / Lukas Kornher / Clara Brandi (2025)
in: World Development 196, article 107171
Media support needs a tech upgrade before it’s too late
Sinanoglu, Semuhi (2025)
published on globalpolicyjournal.com, 21.05.2025
Global frameworks for regulating facial recognition technology and artificial intelligence: adaptive and inclusive governance
Öge, Kerem / Manuel Quintin (2025)
Policy Brief (19/2025)
Countering information pollution to protect democracy
Sinanoglu, Semuhi / Anita Breuer (2025)
Policy Brief (29/2024)
Projects
Depolarization Toolkit: An Agentic AI Framework
Protecting Democracy in times of Autocratization and Polarization
Corporate Civic Responsibility in Safeguarding Democracy (#DEMCOR)
Events
DW Global Media Forum Event
How do malicious AI swarms threaten democratic elections?
Bonn, 23.06.2026
Book launch event
Can Middle Powers Shape the Future?
Bonn & online, 01.07.2026
Conference
Knowledge Dependencies and the Un/making of Equitable Futures
Bonn, 18.09.2025 until 19.09.2025