Elena Esposito awarded Balzan Prize for sociology of AI

Sociologist Professor Dr. Elena Esposito from Bielefeld University has been awarded the Balzan Prize for the social science of digital technology. The award, which includes approximately 810,000 euros, recognizes her groundbreaking theoretical contributions to the field.

The Balzan Foundation cited Esposito’s concept of ‘artificial communication’ as a key reason for the honor. This framework redefines artificial intelligence by suggesting that algorithms can participate in social exchange without necessarily understanding it. Her work argues that algorithms do not replicate human intelligence but function in a radically different manner.

Esposito has applied her research to empirical studies regarding algorithmic predictions in finance, medicine, and public policy. Her research has been conducted through various projects, including the PREDICT project and collaborative research centers at the Universities of Bielefeld and Paderborn.