Through plenary conversations, breakout sessions, and a fishbowl, participants will discuss the state-of-the-art in research on power vis-a-vis algorithms, infrastructures, and platforms. A key question is how to conceptualize (algorithmic, infrastructural, platform) power. And, how the integration of AI in the platform ecosystem changes the distribution of power.

The participants, primed by one-pagers, will explore key issues around platforms and power in terms of infrastructure, economy, and governance, as well as the global configurations in which these forms of power take shape. Throughout, we take stock of the main conceptual, methodological, and empirical interventions in this field of study. The workshop will close by drawing up an agenda for future research.

About the organizer 

Thomas Poell is Professor of Data, Culture & Institutions at the University of Amsterdam. He is program director MA Media Studies, co-founder of the Research Priority Area on Global Digital Cultures, and faculty lead for the national Human(e) AI & the Datafied Society sector plan. Leveraging social media data and digital methods, Poell has studied how the use of digital platforms is affecting the mobilization, organization, and communication of protest around the globe. In recent years, he has built a conceptual framework to analyze how platforms and AI are reshaping the cultural industries.

Programme of September 1

Programme of September 2 

This is an invitation-only event.