re:publica 2023: Five Must-Watch Talks Available for Viewing

The digital conference “re:publica” covers a wide range of topics. Here, we recommend some noteworthy talks that have captivated the audience, offered entertainment, and delved into political discussions.

Net Politics, AI Hype, Digital Governance, Online Payments—the thematic spectrum at “re:publica,” Europe’s largest digital conference, is enormous. And an increasing number of talks are being recorded on video. Here, we highlight some talks that are worth watching.

“Tante’s” Critique of the AI Hype

There is currently a significant hype surrounding the use of Artificial Intelligence. At re:publica, AI applications are generally discussed with a critical perspective. The best example of this is the talk by computer scientist Jürgen Geuter, also known as “Tante” (Aunt). Geuter describes AI as a “diffuse set of narratives” and questions the notion that a future without AI is unimaginable.

Growing Old on the Internet: Why We Should Delete Our “Cringe-Content”

At re:publica, it’s not just serious political debates that take place; humor also has its place. One such example is Sebastian Hotz, aka El Hotzo, who has gained recognition on Instagram and Twitter for his sociocritical and satirical posts. At re:publica, El Hotzo humorously provided advice on how to age gracefully on the internet. His pro-tip: every five to eight years, we should delete the nonsense we have posted.

When Will Government Agencies Truly Go Digital?

While digitalizing administration in Germany is making progress, citizens are not experiencing its full benefits. Philip Banse from the political podcast “Lage der Nation” asks Ernst Bürger, Head of the “Digital Governance” department at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, why this is the case and how online identification processes can be simplified.

The Millionaire Heiress Fighting for Wealth Tax

Marlene Engelhorn inherited a substantial fortune and advocates for greater income distribution, specifically through a wealth tax. She has even founded her own initiative called “taxmenow.” In a conversation with moderator Geraldine de Bastion, Engelhorn explains why she supports a wealth tax and highlights the disproportionate political power held by the super-rich compared to elected representatives.

Markus Beckedahl’s Net Policy Year in Review

re:publica founder Markus Beckedahl reflects on digital policy in Germany and the EU in this year’s talk. His assessment leans towards the pessimistic side: insufficient digital competence, excessive surveillance, and a misguided approach to AI regulation. However, he also identifies some progress for the digital civil society, which he elaborates on in his presentation.