The world is looking to Linz

Tips: What are the most exciting research projects that you and your team are currently pursuing?

Hochreiter: : With Extended Long Term Short Memory (xLTSM), we have developed our own architecture that works faster, more efficiently and better than many comparable models on the market. Our approach is a book like a person. The Transformer technology, which is also used in ChatGPT, works differently.

The world is currently looking at Linz. Because all groundbreaking technologies started small – from the steam engine to the Haber-Bosch process, which was used to develop artificial fertilizer, which made it possible for the first time to produce food on a large scale, which led to the centralization of life in cities. It always starts with basic research, then companies or researchers scale up – in our case with large construction models – and that leads to the industrialization of the new technology. This is now the case with artificial intelligence (AI). AI is pointing the way for the further development of our society.

Tips: How important is Upper Austria as a research location?

Hochreiter: The JKU Linz is now one of the AI ​​lighthouses in Europe. We are part of the international network ELLIS. There we exchange ideas with top researchers from Oxford, Cambridge and Zurich. There are also domain experts from the Berlin Charité or from companies like AstraZeneca. Each ELLIS partner conducts research in their specialist area. If he encounters difficulties, he can draw on the knowledge and experience of the many experts. Through this network, we are on an equal footing with other international locations and can train very good graduates and PhDs. This is a boost for Linz as a research location. Because AI talent is rare in Europe and it is best to stay in Linz (laughs).

Tips: How are student numbers currently developing?

Hochreiter: The AI ​​course has been available at the JKU Linz for several years now and the university management very quickly discovered the topic for Linz and strongly promoted it. It is now the second largest course of study after JUS. The number of beginners has doubled. In 2023, around 450 first-year students will have enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program. No concrete figures are available for this year yet, but it looks like there will be a further increase. Our good reputation attracts students from all over the world. The large number of students is also a challenge for us as a university team. Where there used to be 20 people in a lecture, today there are sometimes 800. Sometimes the lecture halls become too small, which is why the main lectures are always available online. Supervising internships or bachelor theses also becomes difficult. These are the well-known growing pains of a course of study. But I also have to say that, especially in the initial phase of studying, many people drop out because they had different ideas. If the popularity remains so high, we may have to think about an entrance test. We are definitely very proud that we are so successful and train many good AI researchers.

Tips: What significance does artificial intelligence have for the further development of the local economy?

Hochreiter: With AI, for example, simulations in the industrial sector are possible that would take an enormously long time using conventional numerical calculation methods. Large companies come to us wanting to simulate processes in blast furnaces or carry out medical simulations in drug development with us. Companies work more efficiently, save costs or develop completely new products with AI.

But there are also other areas where AI can be used. We have developed hydrological models that can use AI to predict floods. The models learn from data such as precipitation, soil conditions, underground cave systems, glaciers, river courses, the landscape and much more. Google was a partner of the JKU here and integrated the Linz model into an app. The Canadian government also uses our approach.

Tips: What are your recommendations for further strengthening the location in the area of ​​artificial intelligence and machine learning and remaining internationally competitive?

Hochreiter: Simulations require a lot of computing power and therefore money. With NXAI, we founded a company in Linz together with investors. Such investments give me hope for further technological development. AI is developing rapidly. It would be important to network companies more closely with the university level. This exchange is already working very well in Helsinki and especially in Amsterdam. We are now following suit in Linz. There are signals from politicians that AI research will be further supported. AI already plays an important role in Upper Austria and will continue to gain in importance.