How are tech companies changing democracy? Uni Graz designs exhibition for schools

Astrid Kury is the curator of the exhibition, which was designed for schools by the University of Graz in cooperation with Akademie Graz and the Austrian Center of Philosophy with Children and Youth. Photo: Karin Lernbeiß

Filtered information, conspiracy theories, fake news – certain groups and corporations are using social media and algorithms to try to influence public opinion in their favour. Their goal: to weaken fundamental rights and diversity of opinion and seize power. In a new exhibition, researchers at the University of Graz are working with pupils to explore the impact of social media and AI on democracy. In accompanying workshops, the scientists want to encourage young people to develop their own ideas for a socially and ecologically viable future and to actively help shape it. The exhibition, designed as a travelling exhibition for schools, will open on 9 March 2026 at the Dreihackengasse Gymnasium in Graz.

The mission of democracy is to protect human dignity, freedom of expression, legal certainty and free elections, as well as to make education and participation possible for all. These values have led to democracy becoming the prevailing form of government in many parts of the world. But today, it is increasingly under threat. A new exhibition designed specifically for schools explores the role that digital technologies play in this. Political scientist Katrin Praprotnik, sociologists Juliane Jarke and Pia Grumeth-Zechner, computer scientist Jana Lasser, and philosophers Julian F. Müller and Daniela G. Camhy show how their research contributes to democracy and a society characterised by social responsibility and diversity. In addition, they invite pupils to take part in workshops to think about the kind of world they want to live in in the future and what they can do to make their wishes come true.

“Digital technologies can endanger democracy. In view of manipulation and polarisation, new areas of action are needed, such as those opened up by research at the University of Graz. The exhibition thus highlights possibilities and paths to a positive future. For me, it is impressive that imagination plays such an important role in jointly devising visions of the future,” says Astrid Kury, director of the Akademie Graz and curator of the exhibition.

“As Styria's largest research and educational institution, the University of Graz is actively involved in shaping the future. This includes finding answers to new challenges in dialogue with society. Schools are important partners in this. With the current exhibition, we want to work together to inspire young people to engage with democracy,” says Markus Fallenböck, Vice-Rector of the University of Graz, emphasising the importance of the project.

“Unsere Demokratie hat's nicht leicht!”
An exhibition by the University of Graz, Akademie Graz and the Austrian Center of Philosophy with Children and Youth
in cooperation with the Graz schools BG/BRG/MG Dreihackengasse, Medien HAK, AHS Reininghaus and BG/BRG Klusemannstraße

Opening:
Monday, 9 March 2026, 10 a.m.
Karl-Böhm-Saal at BG/BRG Dreihackengasse, Graz
Exhibition runs until 27 March 2026

Further stops:
Medien HAK Graz: April/May 2026
AHS Reininghaus: October 2026
BG/BRG Klusemannstraße: November/December 2026

Gudrun Pichler

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