Designing technology equates more and more the designing of the life conditions and of the self-understanding of humans. How we want to live is thus a question of orientation and responsibility. The talk contributes to a new approach in R&D processes with a focus on Human-Technology Relations, it gives an outline of the key concepts and their interrelation.

Using the guiding concepts of ‘lifeworld’ (Lebenswelt), ‘forms of life’ (Lebensformen), ‘sovereignty’ (Souveränität), and ‘orientation’ (Orientierung), we refer to specific concepts and theories. We use them as a background for our work to stimulate specific R&D processes. The aim is to develop a human-centred, problem-adequate and technology-reflexive working method in a combination of technical and non-technical disciplines and perspectives from the very beginning of innovation.

To date, the impetus provided by our newly developed methods has proven to be fruitful and beneficial in several work shops and expert panels. Small and medium-sized companies in particular, as well as organisations in the social and healthcare sectors, have shown great interest in these manageable and solution-oriented methods.

The degree of penetration and outreach of digital technology has increased enormously and with it the risk of failures, errors or unwanted side effects. Questions of orientation and responsibility in interaction with technically autonomous or automated systems are more complex and time-consuming to answer. This means that questions regarding the involvement of those affected are already virulent during R&D and not just during application. In order to answer these questions research modalities such as those develo-ped and trialled here in Integrated Research are necessary. The chosen perspective of digitalized lifeworlds using the terms lifeworld, life forms, orientation, and sovereignty achieves three things. 1) Integration of Context, 2) Integration of Theories, 3) Integration of Responsibility.

AI-driven assistants including large language models give rise to new forms of human-machine collaboration and enable automation that was previously unthinkable. The resulting flexibilization of work, tasks and roles bears also new chances for people with impairments as skills could be scaled to the tasks through personalized assistance. The talk reflects on suitable framework conditionsand how thorough Integrated Research can aid to account for the specific challenges of this sector.

As digital health becomes increasingly integrated into the fabric of society, the relationship between law and digital health is undergoing a significant transformation. In this current decade, the law has taken on a pivotal role in facilitating the integration of digital health technologies into everyday life. This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest regulatory developments in this area and situate them within a broader framework that connects law and technology. Additionally, it will reflect on the implications of these legal frameworks for integrated research, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between regulation and innovation.

The transformative potential of digital technologies is most vividly illustrated in health. These innovations promise faster, more effective, and cost-efficient treatment options, revolutionizing healthcare delivery and patient care. However, the extensive scope of these potentials necessitates careful consideration of ethical, legal, and societal factors throughout innovation, development, and implementation. Balancing the drive for technological advancement with the imperative to protect individual rights and societal values is essential.

Traditionally, the law has been viewed primarily as a limiting force, regulating technologies through prohibitions and mandates. Examples include the Medical Device Regulation, the General Data Protection Regulation, and various sector-specific instruments that impose strict guidelines on health technologies. However, a noteworthy trend has emerged wherein the law is increasingly assuming additional roles that extend beyond mere regulation. One such role is that of a catalyst for innovation, promoting technology adoption through funding, financial incentives, and infrastructure provision. Moreover, the concept of "law-by-design" is gaining traction, influencing the design and architecture of technologies through legal means. This approach advocates for the proactive integration of legal considerations into the design process, ensuring compliance with regulations while aligning with ethical standards and societal expectations.

This presentation will delve into several noteworthy legislative developments that exemplify these emerging trends, including the German Patient Data Protection Act, the European Data Governance Act, and the European Health Data Space. The German Patient Data Protection Act, enacted in 2020, aims to digitalize healthcare while safeguarding patient data. It mandates electronic patient files and introduces measures for data donation to research, balancing innovation with privacy. The European Data Governance Act enhances trust in data sharing across the EU, facilitating the reuse of public sector data while promoting data altruism. Meanwhile, the European Health Data Space initiative seeks to create a unified framework for health data sharing among EU member states, improving healthcare delivery, research capabilities, and informed policy-making.

In conclusion, this presentation will underscore the increasingly important role of law in moderating discussions about technology and society. The law provides a platform for addressing societal concerns while delineating boundaries for acceptable technologies. In this evolving landscape, the law is becoming an essential infrastructure for integrated research, effectively bridging the gap between technological innovation and the pressing needs of society.

This paper introduces the Transformative Philosophy (T:Phil) program, an initiative designed to embed ethical and socio-political literacy into the technological development process. T:Phil, developed within the Digitalized Lifeworld research cluster and in partnership with leading internationaltechnology reflection experts, provides a comprehensive framework for integrating philosophical insights with technical expertise. Aimed at decision-makers in the tech industry,

T:Phil delivers tailored content through modular series such as Re:Thinking Technology, which challenge participants to reconsider their approaches to AI, digital infrastructures, and our language of technology. The paper highlights two key modules of the T:Phil program: The first, AI in an Atlas-View, promotes a holistic understanding of AI by examining its technical, human, and environmental aspects. This module encourages participants to view AI as a complex socio-technical ensemble rather than merely a technical innovation. The second module, AI as a Metaphor, explores the metaphorical language used to describe AI, fostering critical awareness of how these metaphors shape our perceptions and influence the ethical considerations of AI deployment.

Through innovative delivery methods, including hybrid keynote-discussion events, short series, and intensive Thinkathons, T:Phil engages technical professionals in reflective practices that enhance their understanding of technology’s – especially AI’s – broader implications. The program aims to help cultivate a new cadre of ethically and philosophically informed tech experts capable of designing AI systems that promote equitable and just outcomes.

This paper briefly introduces the T:Phil program and provides examples of its application, demonstrating its potential to transform the way we integrate ethical reflection into technology development

Conceptions of humans and technology act as guiding assumptions (conscious and unconscious assumptions) for the design of technical systems that simultaneously enable and limit interactions between people and technology. As a rule, these assumptions are not explicitly stated, but are often taken for granted when designing human-machine interactions and using technical systems. If there is a lack of fit between the imaginary worlds of designers and users, these conceptions impede of socially and technically successful development and implementation and create orientation problems, which is why they should be critically reflected upon. Therefore, ADMIRE, an analytic tool suitable for structured identification and reflection of these images is presented.

The European Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) has profound implications for technological innovation in the medical and health care sector, transcending the boundaries of existing legal frameworks such as the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This paper examines basic regulatory choices of the AI Act relevant for the field of digital health innovations by contextualizing its main goals, key obligations, and addressed actors. In light of these considerations, we

present a scoping literature review that identifies potential regulatory challenges for stakeholders engaged in research, innovation and healthcare. Building on this, we point to concepts and methodologies to overcome such challenges in a way fostering innovation while realizing key constitutional and societal interests at the same time.