What a milestone! Our book “Introduction to Digital Humanism” has reached the impressive number of one million downloads
Celebrate with us as our first publication has reached one million downloads.
Picture: TU Wien Informatics
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Press Release
One Million Downloads for Introduction to Digital Humanism
Vienna — March 2026 — The open-access book Introduction to Digital Humanism has surpassed one million downloads worldwide, reflecting growing global interest in the societal impact of digital technologies and AI.
Edited by leading scholars and practitioners and published by Springer Nature, the book brings together an international group of contributors to explore how digital technologies can be designed and deployed in ways that respect human rights, democratic values, and societal well-being. Since its publication, it has been widely used by researchers, educators, policymakers, and technology professionals around the world.
Only few titles of Springer Nature’s computer science books – usually only reference works such as Encyclopaedias – can boast similar success in such a short time.
Professor Hannes Werthner, one of the editors and a leading advocate of Digital Humanism, welcomed the milestone: “Reaching one million downloads shows how strongly people across disciplines are searching for frameworks that help shape digital technologies for the benefit of society. Digital Humanism ensures that technology remains centred on human values.”
Co-editor Erich Prem, President of the Austrian Digital Humanism Association andcoordinator of the European Digital Humanism Initiative (EUDHIT) emphasized the societal relevance: “Digital transformation affects every aspect of our lives. The success of this book reflects a growing demand for thoughtful perspectives on how innovation, responsibility, and human values can coexist in the digital age.”
Professor Lynda Hardman from Utrecht University added: “Apparently one million readers want to understand how AI is shaping business and society from multiple perspectives. This creates a strong foundation for collaboration on guiding technology toward a desirable human future.”
Co-editor Professor Bashar Nuseibeh highlighted the timely nature of the work: “The remarkable interest in digital humanism reflects the global debate about responsible engineering, deployment, and use of AI technologies.”
“I am honored to celebrate this milestone with my friends at the Digital Humanism Initiative, whose work reminds us that the most important algorithm we need to get right is the one governing how humans and technology coexist.” says Noshir Contractor.
With more than a million downloads, Introduction to Digital Humanism is a major force behind the growing international movement to ensure that technological progress strengthens democratic institutions, human autonomy, and societal resilience. The movement has its own conference (DIGHUM Vienna) and started the European Digital Humanism Initiative (EUDHIT). It continues to attract experts from universities, research institutes, governments, and industry worldwide.
About the Book
Explore all of our Publications on Digital Humanism.
About Digital Humanism
Technology profoundly shapes the world we live in, and the stakes are high. Digital Humanism deals with digital technology development and policies based on human rights, democracy, inclusion, and diversity. The Digital Humanism Initiative is an international collaboration seeking to build a community of scholars, policymakers, and industrial players who are focused on ensuring that technology development remains centered on human interests.
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