AI Transforms the Working World
USTP discusses the future of work and responsibility in the AI age with business and research
On 14 April 2026, the new series of events called “USTP Future Dialogues” was kicked off at USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. Panellists from the fields of media, trade, AI start-ups, and research addressed the question of how humans and AI might work together in future.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the requirements that companies are faced with. The important thing is to make knowledge accessible and to build a broad portfolio of competencies.
The first event in the series “USTP Future Dialogues” was dedicated to the intersection of humans and AI in the working world. The objective of the event series is to collectively reflect on future topics and strengthen innovative power in the region.
Practice-Oriented, Interdisciplinary, and Effective
USTP pursues a clear approach in this respect: interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and with direct relevance for real-world challenges. The goal is to design AI in such a way that it assists us in our everyday lives, improves economic processes, and has a positive impact on developments in society. Research, application, and training are closely intertwined, which makes for a sustainable effect on the region and beyond.
“Our commitment is to think artificial intelligence in the context of its concrete application. We want to develop future-oriented technologies, empower people, make decisions comprehensible, and assist companies in actively shaping the transformation. At the same time, we consider it our responsibility to train the next generation of AI experts and to equip them with the competencies they need for a well-reflected, secure, and effective use of AI”, emphasised USTP CEOs Hannes Raffaseder and Johann Haag.
Copyright: Felix Schadinger
AI as Support – Not Substitute
Panellists Harald Kräuter (Technical Director, ORF), Christof Kastner (Managing Partner, Kastner Group), Anna Kofler (AI Mom, CEO of dryven & thynkAI), Mateo Primorac (founder & CEO, scopri.ai), and Marlies Temper (Academic Director of Data Intelligence and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at USTP) discussed different perspectives on a changing labour market. It thus became clear that AI creates added value particularly where it is understood as complementing human competencies. At the same time, it was stressed that executive managers need to provide orientation, systematically develop skills further, and create a corporate culture that enables the productive use of AI. Next to technological questions, topics such as trust, transparency, and ethical responsibility therefore took centre stage as well.
“To us, AI is not a substitute for people but rather a tool that provides targeted relief and opens up new spaces. In knowledge-intensive fields in particular, the use of AI frees more time for in-depth research, classification, and creative design”, says Harald Kräuter.
“AI helps us to better control complex processes and use resources more efficiently. However, responsibility, experience, and entrepreneurial thinking still lie with our employees”, adds Christof Kastner.
More than a Panel Discussion
The “USTP Future Dialogues” deliberately went beyond the confines of traditional discussion formats. Designed as a practical “experiment”, the event combined impulses from business, research, and teaching with interactive formats. In an innovation workshop, the participants had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with concrete applications, contribute their own questions, and develop new ideas together. Marlies Temper took the guests on a tour of USTP’s new AI RealLab where students, companies, and research partners will jointly work on innovative and practically relevant AI solutions in future.
Copyright: Felix Schadinger
Strong Partners from the Region
The “USTP Future Dialogues” are designed as a new series of events which address central future topics and strive to intensify the exchange between the university, businesses, and society in the long term. With cooperation partners such as the ‘Plattform St. Pölten’ and WIFI NÖ, USTP focuses on dialogue between science, business, and society.
Anniversary Year: “30 Years. Forward Together”
USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026. And during this year of celebration, the university demonstrates its defining characteristics under the motto “30 Years. Forward Together”: the people who shape it, and its role as a place of innovative teaching, impactful applied research, and strong knowledge transfer – regionally anchored and internationally connected. Events such as the USTP Future Dialogues are part of this year for celebration.
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