When AI shapes decisions, ethics matters

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how we diagnose diseases, make policy decisions, or manage complex social systems. Yet one central question remains: are data-driven systems truly objective? The upcoming DAGStat symposium Data Ethics and AI invites researchers, practitioners, and interested stakeholders to reflect on precisely this issue.

Taking place on 27 February 2026 (13:00–17:30) at the Statistisches Bundesamt, Hauptstadtbüro, Friedrichstraße 50, 10117 Berlin, the event brings together leading experts to discuss the ethical foundations of artificial intelligence and the statistical methods required to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability. As seating is limited, registration is required via email to kontakt@dagstat.de by 20 February 2026.

Algorithms learn from historical data – and those data often contain embedded biases. From medicine to the justice system and personnel decisions, examples of racial or gender bias demonstrate that technical sophistication alone is not sufficient. The symposium therefore focuses on three key questions: What ethical challenges arise when AI is deployed in research and practice? Which statistical methods can promote fairness and transparency? And how can we ensure that data-driven systems are not only efficient, but also just and responsible?

The afternoon begins with networking and refreshments at 13:00, followed by keynote talks from 14:00 to 15:30 and a panel discussion from 16:00 to 17:30. Among the speakers are Prof. Dr. Kerstin Schlögl-Flierl (University of Augsburg, Member of the German Ethics Council), Prof. Dr. Antonia Zapf (UKE Hamburg), Dr. Florian Dumpert (Statistisches Bundesamt), Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Bachmann (University of Michigan) – and Dr. Henrike Weinert of TU Dortmund University.

Dr. Henrike Weinert leads the Data Literacy Program at TU Dortmund University, based at the Center for Data Science and Simulation. The interdisciplinary initiative enables students from all disciplines to acquire foundational data competencies and a solid understanding of artificial intelligence, with data ethics as a central pillar. Her participation provides an important point of connection for the broader research community at TU Dortmund and for those affiliated with the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security (RC Trust), where questions of responsible and trustworthy AI are likewise central.

Although the RC Trust is not directly involved in organizing the symposium, the themes of ethical AI, statistical robustness, and societal responsibility resonate strongly with its mission. For researchers, students, policymakers, and practitioners interested in the responsible use of AI, the DAGStat symposium offers a valuable opportunity for dialogue at the intersection of ethics and statistics.

With only a few days remaining until the registration deadline, interested participants are encouraged to secure their place promptly.