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Dagstuhl Perspectives Workshop 26112

The Role of Computer Science in the New World

( Mar 08 – Mar 13, 2026 )

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Please use the following short url to reference this page: https://www.dagstuhl.de/26112

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Motivation

The rapid advancements in digital technologies, particularly generative AI, have triggered a profound shift in the relationship between technology, humans, society, and the values that shape our world. These developments challenge the traditional understanding of computer science, both as a discipline and as a driver of societal transformation. The field now faces two fundamental challenges:

  1. A Paradigm Shift in Computer Science: Data-driven AI has shifted the discipline from deterministic models to probabilistic, opaque systems, raising concerns about transparency, control, and interpretability.
  2. The Expanding Societal and Economic Role of Computing: Computing no longer focuses solely on technical problem-solving; it now shapes socio-economic structures and societal values. As private corporations drive much of technological development, academia must reassess its role in ensuring technology serves public interests and democratic principles.

This Dagstuhl Perspectives Workshop aims to bring together leading researchers from computer science, artificial intelligence, philosophy, social sciences, and other disciplines to examine the changing role of the field in light of these pressing challenges. Using the Digital Humanism framework - a human-centered approach to technology - we aim to critically reassess the foundations of computer science and its evolving responsibilities. The workshop will address five key areas:

  • Research in Computer Science: Understanding the impact of the paradigm shift on traditional methodologies and the need for greater transparency and accountability.
  • Education and Curriculum Design: Exploring how computer science education should integrate ethical, social, and philosophical perspectives to prepare students for the new digital landscape.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Strengthening ties between computer science and the humanities, social sciences, and law to develop a more comprehensive understanding of digitalization's impact.
  • Engagement with Society and Industry: Examining the role of universities in shaping technological development in alignment with democratic values and public well-being.
  • Institutional Adaptation: Rethinking the organization of universities to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and ensure that computer science remains a socially responsible discipline.

A core outcome of the workshop will be the development of a Manifesto and a Research and Education Roadmap that will outline strategic directions for academia, policymakers, and industry. These documents will serve as a foundation for reshaping computer science research, teaching, and institutional structures in response to the transformative challenges of the digital age.

Participants in this workshop will contribute to a critical global discussion at a defining moment for computer science. Their insights will help shape a future in which digital technologies align with human values, societal well-being, and democratic governance.

Copyright Carlo Ghezzi, Lynda Hardman, Edward A. Lee, and Julia Neidhardt

Classification
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computers and Society

Keywords
  • Interdisciplinary Computer Science
  • Paradigm Shift
  • Societal
  • Educational
  • and Research Challenges in Computer Science
  • Digital Humanism