Linz on the Path to an AI Hotspot for Everyone? IT:U Drives Upper Austria’s AI Excellence Strategy
The Interdisciplinary Transformation University (IT:U) in Linz is playing a decisive role in implementing the AI Excellence Strategy of the Upper Austrian Federation of Industries (IV OÖ). Of the 40 measures proposed in the strategy, 25 fall directly within IT:U’s scope – 13 are already active, with 12 more in the pipeline. The shared goal: establish Linz as a leading AI hotspot in Europe, with Upper Austria as a pioneer region for Industrial AI.
Building AI Competence From School to Industry and Society
IT:U is anchoring digital and AI skills across the entire talent pipeline – from schools to business and industry, all the way to retirees and older adults:
- Together with BRG Fadingerstraße in Linz, IT:U is developing new curriculum modules to strengthen robotics competencies at the secondary school level (Matura stage).
- At the Digital City Studio near Linz’s main square, schools and the wider public benefit from hands-on workshops focused on data literacy and responsible technology use.
Upcoming Workshops at the Digital City Studio
- “AI and Our Data”: February 25, 6:00 PM
- “Seeing Our World Through the Lens of Social Media”: March 11, 5:00 PM
These sessions are explicitly designed to include retirees and older adults, an audience underrepresented in the current excellence strategy but crucial for inclusive digital transformation.
“We Make AI Understandable, Tangible, and Responsible”
“AI is changing everything. That opens up immense opportunities in global competition. We’re taking AI out of the black box and making it understandable, tangible, and responsibly usable for schools, university studies, and everyday life. This is how we build the essential skills for tomorrow’s jobs – from industry and trades to healthcare, care professions, consulting, IT, and creative services. Our ambition is clear: we are building an ecosystem where people and companies can use AI with confidence and quickly translate innovation into practice.” — Stefanie Lindstaedt, Founding President of IT:U
About the Digital City Studio
The Digital City Studio is a collaborative initiative between IT:U and the City of Linz. It represents a new way of thinking about public engagement, science communication, and the role of technology in society.
In a world shaped by digital transformation, technology must not only be developed but also understood and shaped by society. The Digital City Studio is a response to this challenge — a space where research meets the public, and digital futures are co-created by everyone.