About Civic Coding
The initiative
The Civic Coding initiative aims to make AI applications social, sustainable and participatory. In our open innovation network, we promote AI for the common good to strengthen our society, our environment and our community. Because we believe that only together can we bring AI applications for the common good into widespread use.
Civic Coding – innovation network AI for the common good: an overview of the initiative
Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant developments in recent technological history, with a wide range of potential applications. So far, however, the development has mainly taken place in research and business. The Civic Coding initiative aims to bring AI to the heart of society and to use and shape AI for the common good. Civic Coding also aims to strengthen alternative development and application models for AI as a complement to international trends in the AI industry. The initiative therefore specifically networks diverse societal groups and perspectives. Jointly with stakeholders from civil society, science and business, the initiative shapes the social, sustainable and participatory development and application of AI. For the successful social use of AI, the needs of all those directly and indirectly affected must be considered at the development stage. At the same time, the initiative also aims to strengthen the digital literacy of society so that everyone can use AI technologies in a self-determined, reflective and safe way.
We, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) have jointly launched the initiative “Civic Coding – innovation network AI for the common good”.
With the Civic Coding initiative, we are joining forces in an open network. This way, the initiative will strengthen data and AI competences in civil society in the future and enable cross-departmental funding programmes and support measures. It will thus promote the social use of AI for the common good.
The launch of Civic Coding
We first publicly launched the initiative “Civic Coding – innovation network AI for the common good” at re:publica in 2021. As part of the symposium “AI for everyone: Shaping a living ecosystem together”, we organised talks, keynotes and sessions with our guests and an interested audience of experts.
Two central questions for the discussions were: How do different societal stakeholders understand and contribute to a focus on the common good? And: What preconditions and frameworks are necessary for the emergence of social and societal innovations based on AI?
In addition to representatives of the ministries, many stakeholders from civil society were present, including Joana Breidenbach from betterplace lab and Matthias Spielkamp from AlgorithmWatch gGmbH. Both emphasised that the involvement of civil society is a key factor in shaping AI.
Since the launch event we have been continuously developing the initiative based on this basic understanding. Regular series of events like Civic Coding-Schlaglicht and Civic Coding-Forum, one-to-one consulting on artificial intelligence, data, strategy and organization, low-threshold funding offers like the InnovationCamp or the Accelerator – our offers for projects and interested parties who want to use AI for the common good are diverse and growing continuously. You can find all the services offered by the initiative and the three anchor projects on our services page.
Anchor projects
Questions and answers (FAQ)
An overview of the most important questions and answers about Civic Coding.
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“Civic Coding – Innovation Network AI for the Common Good” is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSFJ) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
In our innovation network, we cross ministerial boundaries and responsibilities and join forces to promote the emergence of social and societal innovations from the middle of society. We want to enable people to use AI technologies for the common good on a broad scale.
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All Civic Coding activities aim to promote the use of AI applications for the common good and social innovation. In an open network, the three ministries join forces to strengthen their competences in civil society. The cooperation of the ministries enables broad and cross-departmental support measures.
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The initiative is open to anyone who wants to use AI applications for social progress. Developers and start-ups can get involved just as well as initiatives, public institutions and private individuals. Do you have an idea for an AI technology that can add value to society and would like to develop and implement it? Would you like to learn more about AI solutions for the common good? Join our community now!
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These are the criteria for AI-relatedness based on the AI definition of the German government's AI strategy (2018) (in German)
- Deduction systems, machine proof: Derivation (deduction) of formal statements from logical expressions, systems for proving the correctness of hardware and software;
- Knowledge-based systems: methods for modelling and collecting knowledge; software for simulating human expert knowledge and supporting experts (formerly: ‘expert systems’); partly also linked to psychology and cognitive sciences
- Pattern analysis and pattern recognition: general inductive analysis methods, especially machine learning
- Robotics: autonomous control of robotic systems, i.e. autonomous systems;
- Intelligent multimodal human-machine interaction: analysing and ‘understanding’ language (in conjunction with linguistics), images, gestures and other forms of human interaction.
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Chatbots, voice assistants or smart home are examples of AI technologies that are being used more widely in society. They are becoming increasingly prominent in our everyday lives. Most of the time, the development of AI-based technologies is driven by economic interests. AI for the common good, on the other hand, is oriented towards values that are important for the general public. It enables intelligent solutions for societal challenges. The Civic Coding initiative strengthens sustainable, social and participatory models for the use and development of AI applications.
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There are issues relevant to the common good in almost every area of social life, be it the world of work or social issues like equality, transparency and participation. In addition, the focus on the common good ranges from environmental protection and sustainability to equal rights for marginalised groups and the reduction of prejudice.
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Topics BMAS (Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)
- Occupational health and safety
- Work culture
- Labour market
- Work organisation
- Transparency and explainability of AI applications
- Social partnership and participation
- Continuing education
Topics BMUV (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection)
- Environmental protectio
- Nature and species conservation
- Natural climate protection
- Climate change adaptation
- Circular economy
- Resource conservation
- Consumer protection
Topics BMFSFJ (Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth)
- Democracy and diversity, prevention of antisemitism, racism, discrimination and extremism
- Engagement and digital participation
- Digital sovereignty and youth and media protection
- Access to consulting, services and benefits
- Dementia and care in old age, demographic change
- (Economic) equality
- Compatibility of family and career
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Civic Coding is based on the exchange and the projects of the community. If you want to be a part of it, you can register for free and get in touch with other interested people.
Our events are also a great way to network, learn and get involved. Here you can find information about current and upcoming events.
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There are various funding opportunities in the context of Civic Coding, based on the respective funding guidelines of the participating ministries. In addition, there are some more low-key support offers such as the ECO AI LAB,or the idea contest of the Civic Innovation Plattform. You can find more information on funding opportunities on the Funding page.
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If you have any questions or remarks, please contact our team via info[at]civic-coding.de