Dynamics and Promises of Artificial Intelligence

Topic of the paper is how the ups and downs of the development of Artificial Intelligence since its inception can be explained. The empirical focus is on the development of artificial intelligence in Germany since the 1970s, and particularly on its dynamics since the 2010s. Basic assumption is that a mere reference to rapid advances in information technologies and the various methods of artificial intelligence in recent decades cannot adequately explain these dynamics. From a social science perspective this is only a technology-centred explanation. Referring on theoretical considerations from social scientific innovation research, the hypothesis is that Artificial Intelligence should be understood as a “promising technology”. Its various stages of development have always been driven a new by technological promises about its special powers and capabilities when applied to solving economic and societal challenges.