A particular focus was the panel discussion “Future’s Closing In: Demographics as a Limiting Factor of an Open Future – Can We Still Make It a Better One?”, in which Stefan Schulz and Wenzel Mehnert shed insightful light on how demographic change affects our scope for innovation and shaping the future. The conversation was moderated by Konrad Fux, who was also host of the entire event – once again, a big thank-you for his dedicated moderation and organization.
Lucas Buchauer enriched the program with the hands-on workshop “AI-supported horizon scanning.”
The workshop focused on how generative AI can take the classic horizon scanning method to a new level of efficiency. Together with the participants, he built trend radars step by step based on real data sources, demonstrated the targeted use of AI tools for quickly filtering weak signals and had the group test several prompts live. The discussion covered both best-practice examples from client projects and the limits of automated analyses – for example with regard to bias control and transparency.
Alongside valuable expert input, the event offered plenty of networking opportunities: we were able to initiate new collaborations and deepen existing contacts. Our takeaway: the Vienna Futures Days once again made clear that technology-open approaches and interdisciplinary exchange are key to a future-ready society.
