Automated decision-making (ADM) in surveillance, border militarization and warfare: scoping the transformative potential of human rights (EXC 3039)

Third Party Funds Group - Sub project


Acronym: EXC 3039

Start date : 01.02.2026

End date : 31.12.2026

Website: https://www.transforming-human-rights.fau.de/en/research-projects/

Overall project details

Overall project

Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights“ (EXC 3039) Jan. 1, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2032

Project details

Scientific Abstract

The project follows a trans- and interdisciplinary research design to identify central challenges for human rights in relation to automated decision-making (ADM)1, whether it is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) or non-AI algorithms, in the context of surveillance, border militarization and war. Drawing on the knowledge and expertise of human rights practitioners, the project will first map existing effects of digitalization processes on human rights in this context, as well as take stock of the challenges faced in emerging attempts to establish human rights accountability. The second Project phase builds on this analytical scoping. It will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of identified challenges and specify related academic research problems. The project thus sets the basis for future Cluster research regarding how ADM in surveillance, border militarization and warfare is transforming human rights, and how human rights in turn can or should transform legal and policy responses to AI and ADM. It furthermore contributes to the development of a transdisciplinary research approach.

Involved:

Georg Glasze Project Leader Paulina Pesch Project Leader Patricia Wiater-Hellgardt Project Leader

Contributing FAU Organisations:

Chair in Cultural Geography Lehrstuhl für Öffentliches Recht, Völkerrecht und Menschenrechte Juniorprofessur für Bürgerliches Recht, Recht der Digitalisierung, des Datenschutzes und der Künstlichen Intelligenz Cluster of Excellence “Transforming Human Rights“

Funding Source

DFG / Exzellenzcluster (EXC)

Research Areas

Microscope SVG content and scope of human rights obligations (What?) Field of Research Microscope SVG Cultural and political geographies of the digital transformation. Field of Research Microscope SVG digitalization Field of Research Microscope SVG fragmented economic globalization Field of Research Microscope SVG international migration Field of Research Microscope SVG modes of realization and accountability (How?) Field of Research Microscope SVG planetary environmental crises Field of Research Microscope SVG rights-holders and duty-bearers of human rights (Who?) Field of Research