Vienna, Austria – 29.05.2026 – Representatives of the ETCOP Institute for Interdisciplinary Research attended the discussion “KI kontrovers! – Wofür brauchen wir noch Bildung?” at the Library & Learning Center of the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna). The event brought together leading voices from education, academia, and public policy to discuss one of the most pressing questions of our time: What role does education play in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? Special thanks to Rupert Sausgruber, Rector of Vienna University of Economics.
Organized by the Department of Business Analytics and Decision Sciences as part of the WU matters. WU talks. series, the discussion explored the impact of generative AI on learning, knowledge creation, work, and society. As AI systems continue to perform tasks previously associated with human expertise, the panel addressed fundamental questions about the future of education, the relevance of human competencies, and the skills that will be essential in the coming decades.
High-Level Perspectives on AI and Education
A particular highlight of the event was the participation of Austrian Federal Minister of Education Christoph Wiederkehr, who joined the discussion alongside leading representatives from academia, libraries, and the student community. His contributions provided valuable insights into current educational policy priorities and the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the future of education in Austria.
Valuable Insights for Research and Innovation
For the ETCOP team, the event provided an excellent opportunity to engage with policymakers, researchers, educators, and students on emerging developments at the intersection of artificial intelligence and education. The discussions resonated strongly with ETCOP’s ongoing work in digital transformation, responsible AI, entrepreneurship education, lifelong learning, and European research and innovation projects. Insights gained during the event will contribute to future initiatives focused on AI literacy, educational innovation, and the development of human-centred approaches to digital transformation.
Looking Ahead
The discussion at WU Vienna demonstrated that the key question is not whether artificial intelligence will replace education, but rather how education must transform to remain relevant and impactful in a rapidly changing world. As AI continues to reshape society, educational institutions, researchers, and policymakers share a responsibility to ensure that technological progress is accompanied by the development of human competencies, ethical awareness, and lifelong learning opportunities.
The ETCOP Institute for Interdisciplinary Research welcomes opportunities to contribute to this ongoing dialogue and looks forward to further collaborations advancing responsible and inclusive AI-enabled education.
