IT:U founding president Stefanie Lindstaedt in an interview: Is Upper Austria digitally fit?

Tips: What influence will the Digital University have on the topic of digitalization and research in Linz and Upper Austria?

Lindstaedt: The biggest challenge for digitalization is not the technology, but rather rethinking how problems can be solved fundamentally differently. This also affects areas where there are currently no points of contact. In order to be able to handle all of these new tasks professionally, “digital transformers” are needed in a wide variety of disciplines. But there are currently too few of them. This is not least why IT:U is so important for further development in the area of ​​digitalization. In research, we will closely connect all disciplines with digital technologies and thus advance research and innovations. Our students work with digital tools to solve important social issues.

Tips: Which disciplines and research fields will come together at IT:U?

Lindstaedt: At the beginning of the fall semester of 2024, the eleven newly appointed founding professors of IT:U will be conducting research at the interface between cutting-edge digital technology and the humanities and natural sciences. The research fields range from neuroscience to human computing interaction, from natural language processing to geosocial artificial intelligence. Her research addresses, among other things, questions such as how graph and game theory contribute to the understanding of sociological processes, how data science accelerates medical research, and how AI can be meaningfully used in university teaching.

One focus is the topic of “Human-AI Interaction”. This is about researching the most natural human interaction possible with applications of artificial intelligence, which takes human factors such as trust and perception into account as well as enabling feedback to the AI.

Tips: The first doctoral studies at IT:U are now starting. What content is offered here?

Lindstaedt: We are starting two doctoral studies in the fall, one year after we were founded. With our doctoral program ‘Digital Transformation in Learning’, we want to revolutionize teaching at universities by using the huge potential of AI and digitalization together with innovative teaching methods for active learning in projects, greater individualization and better scalability in teaching. The study program was designed together with the Johannes Kepler University Linz.

The doctoral program ‘Computational X’ is our second study program. It promotes interdisciplinary research that enables natural sciences such as biology, social sciences and humanities to converge with computer science. Doctoral students will acquire a comprehensive range of computational skills and methodologies, ranging from data science to artificial intelligence methods to robotics, as well as a solid core of 21st century skills – such as communication, project management, etc…

Tips: How do you assess the future role of AI in society?

Lindstaedt: It will be about technologies that are able to make data-driven decisions. Examples would be: AI shoots videos, AI generates worlds, AI becomes sensitive, and much more. We must integrate AI tools into our working world to an appropriate extent; we cannot turn away from them – it would be a step backwards instead of progress. The ability to shape digitalization yourself is one of the success factors of our time. The most powerful technologies fall short if they are not used and implemented optimally.

Tips: Is Upper Austria digitally fit? Where is there some catching up to do?

Lindstaedt: Upper Austria is on the right track, but in order to remain competitive and take on a real digital pioneering role in Europe, improvements must be made, especially in the areas of education, infrastructure and innovation promotion: The integration of digital technologies in schools and universities is increasing, but it is lacking often lack a coherent strategy to prepare teachers and students for the demands of the digital future. Digital skills need to be anchored more firmly in the curriculum. A modern education plan must teach both technical knowledge and digital ethics and problem-solving skills.

Public administration must also be fully digitalized in order to make processes more efficient and offer citizens easier access. In addition, digital healthcare will play an essential role in the future. Only through a concerted effort can the federal state fully exploit the opportunities offered by digitalization.