33. ERFA Horizon Europe – Success Requires Innovation

Innovation in Times of AI – From Brilliant R&D to Real Societal Impact

Focus & Context

The 33rd ERFA Horizon Europe is a special edition of the EU-Funding Talks embedded in Ars Electronica Futurelabs`s research initiative “Future Humanity Project”. It provides an exclusive opportunity to connect with other European partners and explore how innovation evolves in times of AI, robotics, creativity, and societal impact.

It highlights the role of interdisciplinary collaboration, where robotics and AI are not only engineered but also designed, experienced, and understood through artistic and human-centered approaches in cooperation with industry.

Hosted in the Ars Electronica Center, participants will gain exclusive insights into “Future Humanity Research” and discuss how humans, intelligent machines, and new forms of society will co-exist. A guided tour through the Hello Worlds! Exhibition by Toyota Motor Corporation's Advanced R&D and Engineering Company in collaboration with the Ars Electronica Futurelab provides a unique perspective on how technology, storytelling, and creativity intersect.

Speakers

• Business Upper Austria / Zuzana Lettner – Horizon Europe and Upper Austria

• Ars Electronica / Veronika Liebl – Future Humanity Research, S+T+ARTS, international and regional impact, outlook on the new co-creation platform

• University of Arts Linz / Jörg Klenk - Industry-related research & societal impact

• Barcelona Supercomputing Lab / Fernando Cuccietto – Knowledge transfer & AI excellence - International perspective

• PBN Germany / Balázs Barta - Humanoid Robots

• Toyota Motor Corporation's Advanced R&D and Engineering Company / Takuma Suzuki - Industry perspective

• Ars Electronica Futurelab/ Maria Pfeifer, Cyntha Wieringa, Matthew Gardiner - Why is Future Humanity as research topic important for industry to consider 

Special Networking Opportunity

This event offers an exclusive opportunity to connect with international research and innovation experts as well as Horizon Europe stakeholders visiting Ars Electronica Festival “Negotiating Humanity”. It provides an excellent setting to exchange ideas, explore collaboration opportunities, and initiate a new Horizon Europe consortium.

Target group: Organizations that are involved in international research and innovation projects or are planning to engage in them and wish to sustainably strengthen their innovation strategy and wishing to connect with international partners.

ERFA Horizon Europe funding talks since 2015

The ERFA Horizon Europe provides a platform for discussions on challenges, solution approaches, and best practices in European research and innovation funding. Moderated small-group discussions with invited experts, research managers, and a strong practical focus are a key feature of these “Funding Talks”. It potentially includes guided site visits or is in a form of creative workshop depending on a subject and speakers.

Business Upper Austria, International Research Funding Advisory Team, also regularly provides updates on Horizon Europe, including calls, trends, and new developments in European funding opportunities for research and innovation.

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