AI summit in Graz: Europe’s digital sovereignty in focus!

AI summit in Graz: Europe’s digital sovereignty in focus!

The Technology Impact Summit (TIS) will take place in the Graz Seifenfabrik on November 20, 2025. The aim of the event is to address the economic and social influence of artificial intelligence (AI) as well as Europe's digital sovereignty. TIS 2024 has already attracted 350 participants from 225 companies and this year offers a promising platform for discussions among thought leaders, decision-makers and innovators from all over Europe.

Markus Fallenböck, Vice Rector of the University of Graz, underlines the urgently needed AI competence to promote the integration of AI into existing value chains. “AI is not just a technological topic, but affects all disciplines,” notes Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, and emphasizes the responsibility of educational institutions to research and communicate the numerous implications of AI.

Insight into the program

This year's main theme is “AI in action”, with several central program points already established. The opening keynote will be delivered by Ramin Hasani, CEO of Liquid AI. Discussions about technology sovereignty follow with high-ranking participants such as Horst Bischof and Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. Zu Guttenberg in particular emphasizes the role of AI as a central factor for economic strength and social development in Europe.

Another highlight will be the debate about “AI Competencies” with Mariagrazia Squicciarini and Andreas Windisch. In addition, companies such as Deutsche Telekom and Raiffeisen Landesbank Steiermark will present seven AI use cases that will illustrate innovative approaches and applications.

Preparations and accompanying events

The TIS will be accompanied by a pre-event on November 19, 2025, at which the “Grazer Mummy Book” will be presented in the Graz University Library. As part of this event, the role of AI will be discussed, supplemented by the new anthology “Artificial Intelligence as an innovation driver for Styria”.

The TIS event is a cooperation between the University of Graz, the Graz University of Technology as well as JOANNEUM RESEARCH and FH JOANNEUM. The event is supported by numerous partners, including ACP, AVL List and Microsoft, all of which want to contribute to the goal of digital sovereignty and the economic benefits of AI.

Competencies for digital sovereignty

In the context of the events, the new competency grid for artificial intelligence in administration will also be discussed. Developed by Derya Catakli and Michael Puntschuh, it includes 21 competencies divided into seven categories and focuses on the fact that in addition to technical skills, communicative and organizational skills are crucial.

This grid is intended to enable institutions to record the current status of their AI competencies and plan strategic steps for further development. The need to strengthen existing skills in administration is also a central part of the discussions at TIS.

With a comprehensive program and high-profile speakers, TIS 2025 offers a valuable opportunity to shed light on the challenges and opportunities of AI in Europe and beyond. Further information is available on the official website TIS website to view.

For a comprehensive overview of the content and goals of the event, please refer to the comprehensive reports from OTS and University of Graz as well as the detailed discussion of the necessary skills in administration Service Design Southwest referred.