Google to open research institute

Berlin’s oldest university said it is partnering with Google and three German institutions to start a research institute. Humboldt University said the Independent Research Institute for Internet and Society would open in late October 2011 and examine the evolution of the Internet and its impact on society, science, politics and the economy.
The institute will focus on innovation, Internet and media policy, philosophy and constitutional rights, the university said. Google will fund the institute with (euro) 4.5 million ($6.41 million) for the first three years. After that, the group is looking for other sponsors.
The Berlin University of Arts, the Social Science Research Center Berlin and the Hamburg Hans-Bredow-Institute are also involved in the project.