OÖN: If you were to start a company now: which one would it be and why?
Markus Achleitner: I would start a company that explores, develops and scales the potential use of artificial intelligence in various areas. AI is a digital revolution in communication processes, public administration, industry and energy. It will change our economic life.
But the enormous demand for AI is now waning again.
The hype surrounding the widespread awareness has died down a bit since ChatGPT. But the situation is different when it comes to applications. Hardly any other topic in digitalization is currently being researched and tested on such a broad scale. This will turn some processes upside down, including in the public sector, for example in approval procedures. It is also part of the answer to demographic developments with fewer people and more work.
How is Upper Austria prepared?
We have huge potential because we have a pioneer in the form of the Software Competence Center in Hagenberg. There are a number of specific projects, for example the company Trustifai with a certification system for AI. Sepp Hochreiter is also driving AI projects forward at the JKU. And we are in the process of birthing the digital university. We have great starting conditions.
What else does it take to ignite the spark?
A lot of awareness is needed in companies, on the part of employees and entrepreneurs. First of all, everyone sees the dangers as a reflex, that’s logical. It is clear that the legal situation needs to be regulated. Awareness needs to be raised through a lot of information and examples. Digitalos is a good platform for this.
Are you afraid of AI?
I am not afraid. I am fascinated by what will be possible, but I am aware that we need regulations to distinguish what is real and what is artificial. Artificial intelligence is also programmed, controlled and created by human intelligence. We need systems that allow us to trust that the things we hear, see and read have a real background and comply with ethics and morals. But I am a supporter of the idea that we should focus on the opportunities presented by AI.
Is it Europe’s job to create legal rules?
There is the European AI Act, where Europe was a world leader. This will certainly have to be adjusted every year. I would like to see the same dynamism and more speed in identifying and implementing the opportunities for product innovations, competitive advantages and digital pioneering roles that Europe can have in this area, for example in automation in industrial production.
What is needed for this is digital infrastructure, i.e. broadband expansion. How is Upper Austria positioned in this regard?
We are staying on course at full speed. Over the past seven years, the federal and state governments have invested 650 million euros in broadband expansion in Upper Austria. During this time, we have reduced the proportion of under-served households from 25 to four percent. Fast internet is a basic infrastructure. But the last few percent are the most difficult and expensive. That is why the government’s third broadband billion is needed as soon as possible. In Upper Austria, we have now launched a gap-closing program worth ten million euros, a white spot program, so to speak. With this, we want to combine and supply individual houses across municipal boundaries in one project.
How far has progress been made with the Digital University (IT:U)?
Research, teaching, entrepreneurship: this is the new approach that the university is taking. The closer the integration, the faster innovation will reach the market. IT:U is setting the pace for the digital transformation of the economy and is intended to be a seismograph for trends. At traditional universities, the entrepreneurial mission was not included in the founding charter. Now things are different, so there must be no reservations about contact with the economy. Ideally, an ecosystem for a digital turbo should be created in the next ten years. It is clear that this will require breaking some patterns of thinking.
ePaper
What are the key opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for different industries in the future?
The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Regulations
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves in various industries, transforming the way we live and work. In a recent interview, Markus Achleitner, a renowned expert, shared his insights on the potential of AI, its challenges, and the need for regulations. If he were to start a company today, he would focus on exploring, developing, and scaling AI in different areas, citing its potential to revolutionize communication processes, public administration, industry, and energy.
Dispelling the Hype Surrounding AI
While the initial hype around AI may have died down, the demand for its applications continues to grow. Achleitner notes that AI is being researched and tested on a large scale, with the potential to transform processes in the public sector, such as approval procedures. Additionally, AI can help address demographic developments, such as fewer people and more work.
Upper Austria’s AI Potential
Upper Austria, with its pioneer Software Competence Center in Hagenberg, has huge potential in the AI sector. The region is home to innovative companies like Trustifai, which is developing a certification system for AI. Furthermore, Sepp Hochreiter is driving AI projects forward at the Johannes Kepler University (JKU), and the digital university is in the process of being established.
Raising Awareness and Igniting the Spark
To fully leverage the potential of AI, Achleitner emphasizes the need for awareness among companies, employees, and entrepreneurs. He acknowledges that people may initially see the dangers of AI, but with information and examples, they can begin to appreciate its benefits. Digitalos, a platform that raises awareness about AI, can play a crucial role in this process.
Regulations and Trust
Achleitner stresses the importance of regulations to distinguish between what is real and what is artificial. AI is programmed, controlled, and created by human intelligence, and we need systems that allow us to trust the information we receive. The European AI Act, which sets the tone for AI regulations, needs to be adjusted regularly to keep pace with the rapidly evolving technology.
Europe’s Role in Creating Legal Rules
Achleitner believes that Europe has a crucial role to play in creating legal rules for AI. While Europe was a world leader in introducing the AI Act, it needs to maintain its dynamism and speed in identifying and implementing the opportunities for product innovations, competitive advantages, and digital pioneering roles that AI can offer.
Conclusion
AI has the potential to transform various industries and aspects of our lives. While there are challenges and concerns to be addressed, awareness, regulations, and trust are key to unlocking its benefits. As Achleitner notes, we should focus on the opportunities presented by AI, and Europe has a vital role to play in shaping its future.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, AI, Markus Achleitner, Upper Austria, Software Competence Center, Hagenberg, Trustifai, Johannes Kepler University, Digitalos, European AI Act, Regulations, Awareness, Trust.
Meta Description: Explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence, its challenges, and the need for regulations. Markus Achleitner shares his insights on the future of AI and its transforming power.
Header Tags:
H1: The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Regulations
H2: Dispelling the Hype Surrounding AI
H2: Upper Austria’s AI Potential
H2: Raising Awareness and Igniting the Spark
H2: Regulations and Trust
H2: Europe’s Role in Creating Legal Rules
* H2: Conclusion
What are the biggest opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in the future?
The Future of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Regulations
In a recent interview, Markus Achleitner, a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), shared his insights on
