{"id":5279,"date":"2025-01-23T12:39:09","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T11:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/it-u.at\/?p=5279"},"modified":"2025-01-23T12:39:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-23T11:39:09","slug":"itu-kicked-off-its-first-inaugural-lecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/it-u.at\/en\/news\/itu-kicked-off-its-first-inaugural-lecture\/","title":{"rendered":"IT:U kicked off its first Inaugural Lecture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On January 22, 2025, IT:U Austria hosted its first inaugural lecture, marking the university\u2019s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation. Led by founding professors Christopher Frauenberger and Philipp Wintersberger, the event attracted more than 130 attendees, with almost half participating onsite. Numerous scientists from national and international universities attended the lecture, as well as representatives from the local economy and industry. After a formal opening by Founding President Stefanie Lindstaedt, attendees listened to the professors\u2019 presentations before concluding the evening with a lively panel discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Milestone in bridging Academia and Community<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The inaugural lecture marked the start of IT:U\u2019s bold journey to redefine education and innovation. It celebrated the founding professors as visionaries shaping the future of human-computer interaction (HCI) and interdisciplinary research. More than an academic milestone, the event united the academic and broader community, emphasizing IT:U\u2019s mission to bridge disciplines and drive meaningful transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“IT:U is proud of the expertise and international networks of its founding professors. ‘Human factors’\u2014the study of human behavior\u2014are one of our key research areas at IT:U. Human factors are crucial for the acceptance of digital technologies. Today, it is about optimizing the relationship between humans and machines to maximize their benefits for society. With this first inaugural lecture, we have set an important impulse in this direction.” <\/em><\/p>\n Stefanie Lindstaedt, Founding President of IT:U<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Key Insights from the Lecture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The lecture, titled “Humans and Their Computers: A Non-Trivial Problem”, revolved around themes central to IT:U\u2019s mission and one of its research focus on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Attention Management in HCI: <\/strong>Digitalization & technology has fragmented our attention spans, reducing focus and productivity. IT:U researchers are developing AI-based “Attention Management Systems” to intelligently manage interruptions. These systems prioritize critical tasks, enhance focus in workplaces, improve safety in automated driving, and optimize multitasking to increase overall productivity.

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  2. Caring Robots in Society: <\/strong>With the growing demand for eldercare and a shortage of care workers, IT:U is collaborating with care institutions and organizations to explore how robots can complement\u2014not replace\u2014human caregivers. Christopher Frauenberger\u2019s team is developing semi-autonomous robots that can assist with tasks like documentation, support dementia patients, and offer personalized care based on patients’ individual needs and histories.

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  3. Human Modeling and Simulation<\/strong>: Modeling human behavior helps researchers create empathetic, adaptive systems for environments like healthcare and workplaces. Using Reinforcement Learning and Computational Rationality, IT:U develops simulations that train Intelligent User Interfaces to dynamically adapt to user needs, enhancing collaboration and productivity.

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  4.  Prospective Research in Entanglement<\/strong>: Humans and technology are deeply interwoven, shaping each other in profound ways. IT:U explores how to design systems that reflect societal values and help us become the people we aspire to be. By fostering meaningful human-technology relationships, IT:U empowers individuals and addresses modern challenges.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    “Challenges involving humans and their computers cannot be addressed from a single disciplinary perspective\u2014such as the question of developing robotics for eldercare. A discipline is like a flashlight that illuminates a specific part of the world. But in these contexts, more is needed. To understand the roles that technology can and should play, insights are required from care sciences, social sciences, and ethics. The great challenge of interdisciplinary research is not only sharpening individual perspectives but connecting them to create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We need multiple flashlights shining from different angles\u2014and that\u2019s exactly what IT:U is about.” <\/em><\/p>\nChristopher Frauenberger, Founding Professor of Human-Computer Interaction.<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    “In our research, we aim to solve this problem with AI systems that learn to guide our attention in the right direction. For instance, notifications can be delivered at appropriate, less disruptive times. Another application is supporting users in working with automated systems like autonomous vehicles or industrial robots. These so-called ‘Attention Management Systems’ will become increasingly important in the future, as human capacity remains limited compared to machines’ ever-growing computational power.” <\/em><\/p>\nPhilipp Wintersberger, Founding Professor of Intelligent User Interfaces.<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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    Our Next Inaugural Lecture<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The Inaugural Lecture<\/em> format offers exciting insights into IT:U\u2019s eleven research groups. Austria\u2019s newest technical university is committed to interdisciplinary research and project-based, personalized learning, driving proactive and solution-oriented approaches to digital transformation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our upcoming lectures:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n