Vienna is becoming the capital of digital humanism! Conference starts soon

Vienna is becoming the capital of digital humanism! Conference starts soon

The first International Conference for Digital Humanism will take place from May 26th to 28th, 2025 in the Vienna MuseumsQuartier. The aim of the conference is an in-depth discussion about digital transformation and its effects on a democratic-humanistic worldview. Several well-known institutions, including the Association for the Promotion of Digital Humanism, the Technical University of Vienna, the University of Vienna and the City of Vienna, have come together as organizers to make this event possible.

The conference will focus on key topics such as the influence of algorithmic systems on democratic processes as well as the ethical and legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI). The organizers would like to offer concrete action perspectives for politics, administration, research, business and civil society in order to shape digitalization in the spirit of responsibility and human rights. Vienna has long positioned itself as a pioneer of ethically reflected digitalization. The Vienna Manifesto for Digital Humanism was initiated in 2019, which makes a reference to ethical values ​​and social issues in the digital world.

Digital humanism in a historical context

Humanism has its roots in antiquity and promotes the individual's independent thought process. Socratism, coined by Socrates and other philosophers, contrasts with sophistry, which questions the foundations of truth and knowledge. However, the idea of ​​humanistic thought is found not only in Europe, but also in cultures such as Confucianism in East Asia and Buddhism in South Asia. Digital humanism is facing enormous challenges: digital transformation could fundamentally question the previous humanistic self-image and the foundations of democracy and law.

Digital technologies are ambivalent and their use has a significant impact on living conditions. Digital humanism calls for an instrumental approach to these technologies in order to appropriately weigh up both benefits and risks. The responsibility should remain with humans instead of being transferred to machines. This is seen as one of the supporting pillars for the self-development of both the individual and humanity as a whole.

Future prospects in the digital age

Digital sovereignty is crucial to human authorship in the digital age. Individuals must be empowered to lead their lives responsibly and learn digital skills. This is in line with the central idea of ​​humanistic thinking, which demands freedom, responsibility and the ability to reason. The conference in Vienna will therefore not only be a place for exchange, but also a step towards a more humane digital future that respects individual autonomy and dignity.

The city of Vienna has actively participated in European projects such as GAIA-X and organizes the Digital Humanism Summer School at the TU Vienna. These initiatives underpin Vienna's commitment to an ethically reflected and socially responsible digital transformation. The Vienna Library also publishes a textbook entitled “Digitalization and Us”, which is intended to promote social discussion of digital issues.

This first International Conference on Digital Humanism represents a significant event that could shape not only Vienna, but also the global discourse on digital transformation and the associated ethical challenges.