Interviews
Over a period of three years, LIVING INNOVATION conducted more than 97 video and online interviews with top-level experts, business leaders, and researchers. These interviews provide insights into business practices, recent challenges, and future developments in responsible innovation in general, specifically in the IT sector, as well as in smart home and health technologies. Watch them or listen to them as a podcast.
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Harald Leitenmüller (CTO Microsoft Austria)
Artificial Intelligence is one of the turning-point technologies of our time. In many areas, powerful applications of AI are already in place. However, the unprecedented potential of AI invokes numerous dystopian visions of super-intelligent machines. What are the threats of Artificial Intelligence? Where does it make sense to use AI? How can AI be designed responsibly?
Harald Leitenmüller, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Austria, shares his view on Artificial Intelligence, digs into the myths on AI and explains how the tech industry takes ethically sound decisions in this highly complex field.
Nir Menachemi (Chair of the Health Policy and Management Department of Indiana University)
Over the last years, spending on the US public healthcare system has skyrocketed. But a paradigm shift towards more prevention may substantially save costs upfront. Nir Menachemi, Chair of the Health Policy and Management Department of Indiana University, shows how hospitals use predicative capacities of artificial intelligence to support preventive services in healthcare.
Eglantine Eeckhout (Change Facilitator at The Shift)
Eglantine Eeckhout, a change facilitator at The Shift, a Belgian network for sustainability, explains how their Shift’s Green Deal method stimulates sustainable change in the business world. The Shirt’s Green Deal fosters collaboration among diverse actors to co-create new business models that integrate SDGs and leverage positive societal change. By sharing experiences and knowledge, organizations develop innovative solutions.
Barbara Inmann (Managing Director of Impact Hub Vienna)
Barbara Inmann, Managing Director of Impact Hub Vienna, highlights that social entrepreneurs are more open towards user needs, collaboration and sustainability, as positive impact is one the main objectives of their business. Inmann notes that as corporate interest in sustainable innovation grows, social enterprises are increasingly seen as agile and responsive partners, especially in addressing rapid changes and social needs.
Janett Klaus (Head of Marketing Service at Ottobock Healthcare)
Janett Klaus emphasizes that successful user engagement in healthcare relies on trust and openness, which can be fostered through social media and online communities. Klaus notes that while facing certain sector specific legal regulations, online environments can enhance co-creation and communication by making it easier for users to share personal stories and connect with others in similar situations.
Marc Elsberg (Bestselling Author)
Marc Elsberg, bestselling author known for „Blackout“ and „Greed,“ critically observes what happens when fiction becomes reality. He discusses the negative effects of digital surveillance, such as conformity and decreased innovation capability, but highlights that Responsible Innovation has to ensure control over Artificial Intelligence by understanding the tasks and decisions behind digital technologies.
Martin Richardson (Professor of modern holography on our future presence)
Discover the future of holography with insights from Martin Richardson, a pioneer in modern holography and Professor at De Montfort University. Richardson explores how holographic telepresence could revolutionize collaboration and creativity, offering a more immersive experience than traditional screens. With advancements in holography and augmented reality, new possibilities are emerging that blend the virtual and real worlds, opening up exciting technological frontiers.
Tatjana Oppitz (former Country General Manager of IBM Austria and current Vice-Rector for Infrastructure and Digitalization at Vienna University of Economics and Business)
Tatjana Oppitz, former Country General Manager of IBM Austria and current Vice-Rector at Vienna University of Economics and Business, shares insights on preparing for digital transformation. She highlights the critical role of digital literacy in understanding emerging technologies like blockchain, quantum computing, and AI. Emphasizing digital awareness and responsible use, Oppitz calls for lifelong learning to navigate the evolving digital landscape effectively.
Sandra Kolleth (Chief Executive Officer of Miele Austria)
What if your home could anticipate your needs without a single instruction? In this video, we explore the future of smart homes, where AI-powered appliances adapt seamlessly to individual habits. Miele’s „Invisible kitchen“ enhances your cooking skills while reducing errors, showcasing how smart technology is transforming daily life with personalized, sustainable solutions.
Sarah Spiekermann (Professor for Business Informatics on Digital Ethics)
Imagine a digital future that aligns with our core democratic values. Sarah Spiekermann, a leading voice in Digital Ethics, explores how European innovation must reclaim digital sovereignty to prioritize privacy and transparency. This video delves into the need for a shift from profit-driven models to ethically focused practices, ensuring that technology serves societal purposes and reflects our values.
Richard Owen (Professor in Innovation Management)
Explore the foundational concepts of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) with Richard Owen, a leading expert and author of a key publication on the topic. Owen discusses how RRI guides us to shape technologies responsibly amidst uncertainty and highlights the challenges of integrating RRI into corporate practices. Learn how engaging with innovators can help us collectively shape a responsible future.
Klaus Fichter (Director of the Borderstep Institute)
Join Klaus Fichter, Director of the Borderstep Institute, as he explores how sustainability is reshaping business models. Discover why integrating sustainability into core practices is becoming essential for companies and how it can position Europe uniquely in the global market. Fichter shares insights on fostering a culture of value-driven innovation and the importance of a strong support system for sustainability-driven start-ups.
Erich Griessler (Head of Research Group Techno-Science and Societal Transformation on RRI in Horizon Europe)
Erich Griessler, Head of the Techno-Science and Societal Transformation Research Group at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna, presents an in-depth analysis of the New HoRRIzon project, the largest RRI initiative within Horizon 2020. This video explores the current state of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), its practical challenges, and the strategies required for its effective institutionalization in future Horizon Europe programs.
Nancy Bocken (Professor in Sustainable Business)
Nancy Bocken, Professor in Sustainable Business at Maastricht University, leads the Circular X project, focusing on implementing circular business models. This video offers critical insights into transitioning from traditional ‚Take, Make, Dispose‘ practices to sustainable models through experimentation. Discover how circular business models can drive systemic change, align environmental and business goals, and pave the way for innovative, sustainable practices.
Klaus Schuch (Scientific Director and CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation)
Imagine a future where societal priorities directly influence the innovation landscape. Klaus Schuch, Scientific Director and CEO of the Centre for Social Innovation, addresses how incorporating citizen perspectives into innovation processes can drive meaningful change. This video highlights the need for new incentives for social innovation and the role of inclusive stakeholder dialogues in aligning societal needs with business objectives.
Ken Webster (Global Thought Leader on Circular Economy)
Discover how Ken Webster, a leading expert on circular economy, is reshaping our understanding of sustainability. Working with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and McKinsey, Webster has created a compelling narrative that integrates the principles of nature into business and policy. This video explores the potential of a circular economy to turn waste into resources and drive meaningful change towards sustainable practices.
Michael Köttritsch (Head of Management and Career Department for one of Austria's leading newspapers)
Michael Köttritsch, Head of Management and Career at ‚Die Presse,‘ delves into the evolution of remote work, accelerated by the Covid-19 crisis. This video reveals how the shift to digital workspaces has transformed organizational practices and leadership approaches. Explore the challenges and opportunities of adapting to remote work and the future of digital team management and career development.
Szilvia Szabo (Founder of The Impacter)
Discover the impact of Europe’s largest Responsible Innovation Summit, held virtually in Dublin on 20-21 October. Featuring Szilvia Szabo, Mary Mac Sweeney and Norman Thompson, this video highlights the Summit’s mission to bring together leaders from business, research and policy. Find out how the event aims to inspire actionable long-term strategies and drive positive change in the wake of the pandemic.
Louise Beltzung (Senior Resercher)
Explore the evolution of the smart toy market with Louise Beltzung from the Austrian Institute for Applied Telecommunication. As a senior researcher in AI and machine learning, Beltzung reveals the challenges of ensuring that smart toys are aligned with parental values. This video explores the complexities of integrating smart toys into the home and offers insights into how to align their programming with family values.
Marion Pötz (Scientific Director, Open Innovation in Science Center)
Watch Marion Poetz, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School and Scientific Director at the Ludwig Boltzmann Society Center for Open Innovation in Science, discuss the need for collaboration to tackle the complex challenges of the twenty-first century. This video explores the growing trend of collaborative innovation, the importance of a respectful stakeholder process, and how digital technologies can increase inclusivity and impact.
Joachim von Heimburg (Innovation Architect and Executive Advisor)
Find out how Responsible Innovation can help companies strike a balance between profitability and societal expectations. This video explores how this framework helps companies manage large-scale disruption and uncertainty, reflect on their societal role, and create unique value propositions. Learn how integrating responsibility into innovation strategies can create competitive advantage and address broader societal impacts.
Marc Stehen (Senior Scientist at TNO Innovation For Life)
Explore how AI can be developed to build societal trust and promote a just society. This video highlights the importance of not blindly trusting AI but working together to create trustworthy systems. Discover how focusing on the purpose of technology and inviting ICT companies to consider societal impacts can position Europe as a leader in humane and responsible AI.
Robert-Jan Smits (Director General of DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission)
Discover how Europe can regain its innovation leadership through collaborative, value-driven approaches. This video highlights the importance of bringing together industry, academia and civil society to create transformative solutions. Learn how co-creation and multi-stakeholder collaboration can give Europe a competitive edge and address major societal challenges in emerging technologies.
Paul Hofheinz (President of the Brussels-based think-tank the Lisbon Council)
Explore the insights of Paul Hofheinz, President of the Lisbon Council, on the role of AI in society. Despite its capabilities, Hofheinz argues that AI will never replace human qualities such as empathy and creativity. This video highlights how AI can augment human decision-making and the need for robust regulation to ensure that its benefits are aligned with societal interests.
Emad Yaghmaei (Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management at Delft University of Technology)
Join Emad Yaghmaei, senior research fellow at Delft University of Technology, as he takes RRI beyond business. This video explores how RRI can be integrated into existing business practices by developing tailored key performance indicators that align societal and ethical values with economic goals, and addresses the challenges of translating RRI into actionable business strategies.
Katrin Muff (Leadership Specialist, Consultant and Co-Creation Facilitator)
Discover Katrin Muff’s expert perspective on how companies can address complex societal challenges through strategic co-creation. In this video, Muff discusses the importance of establishing a common purpose and building mutual trust among stakeholders to effectively tackle wicked problems. Gain insights into creating robust processes for multi-stakeholder collaboration and driving meaningful innovation.
Alfred Nordmann (Professor of Philosophy and History of Science)
How do we navigate an unpredictable future shaped by disruptive technologies such as AI and robotics? Alfred Nordmann, Professor of Philosophy and History of Science at the Technical University of Darmstadt, explores these questions. He emphasises the need to focus on real-world problems, such as climate change and an ageing population, rather than being swayed by technological promises.
Alexander Gerber (Professor for Science Communication)
How can research institutions better integrate societal needs into their innovations? Alexander Gerber, Professor of Science Communication at Rhein-Waal University, explores this challenge through his work with the NUCLEUS project. He argues that while industry drives innovation, there’s often a disconnect with societal concerns. To address this, he advocates inclusive discussions between policymakers, researchers and citizens to effectively align societal interests with research practices.
Alex 'Sandy' Pentland (computer scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Can Big Data reshape our understanding of social behavior? Professor Alex ‚Sandy‘ Pentland from MIT dives into this topic, revealing how data can uncover and predict our social interactions. He underscores the importance of establishing new institutions, such as data cooperatives, to democratize data and ensure it benefits society as a whole. Explore the potential of Big Data to transform governance and social norms.
Thomas Arnoldner (Chief Executive Officer at A1 Telekom Austria Group)
How will 5G reshape our world? As 5G drives advancements in AI, telemedicine, and IoT, it also raises significant public concerns. Thomas Arnoldner, CEO of A1 Telekom Austria, provides insights into the transformative potential and ethical considerations of 5G technology. Discover how we can balance innovation with responsibility in this interview.
Marcel Bogers (Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
Is your open innovation strategy as effective as it could be? Marcel Bogers from the University of Copenhagen reveals why simply involving familiar faces may be limiting your innovation success. Discover practical steps to open up your internal processes and meaningfully engage external stakeholders.
Terri Griffith (Professor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship)
Terri Griffith, a leading expert on innovation and entrepreneurship, emphasises the importance of being „systems savvy“ in aligning technological advances with organisational needs. This perspective helps managers navigate the complexities of innovation and optimise resources. Explore how a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between technology and organisation can lead to more successful and inclusive digital innovation.
Stefan Crets (Executive Director of CSR Europe)
Stefan Crets, Executive Director of CSR Europe, examines the development of corporate social responsibility in Europe. He argues that while frameworks such as ISO 14000 provide a baseline, effective sustainability leadership requires more. Find out how top companies are engaging stakeholders and going beyond traditional standards to drive meaningful change and sustainability leadership.
David Weinberger (Senior Researcher at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society and former co-director of the Harvard Library Innovation Lab)
David Weinberger of Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center discusses our adaptation to chaotic digital systems and how AI adapts to this complexity. He highlights the role of AI in navigating and understanding our interconnected world. Discover how these technologies can help us make sense of and thrive in the midst of everyday chaos.
Harald Leitenmüller (CTO at Microsoft Austria)
Harald Leitenmüller, CTO of Microsoft Austria, shares his insights on the intersection of technology and societal needs in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. Discover how we can use digital innovation responsibly, ensuring it serves the public interest while mitigating potential risks. Explore the key role of technology in building resilience during and after the pandemic.
Johann Schachner (CEO of Atos Austria)
As CEO of Atos Austria, Johann Schachner discusses the rapid adoption of teleworking that was spurred on by the Covid-19 crisis. He highlights the importance of balancing different working environments and establishing a trust-based organisational culture to unlock the potential of the evolving digital landscape and the future of work.
Margarethe Rammerstorfer (Vice-Rector for Academic Programs and Student Affairs at the Vienna University of Economics and Business)
In response to Covid-19, Margarethe Rammerstorfer led WU Vienna’s rapid adaptation to digital education, moving over 1,700 courses online in one week. She explores the critical role of face-to-face interaction in education and how universities can now use digital tools to optimise teaching resources and increase student engagement in the future.
Devin Cook (Executive Producer of the Inclusive Innovation Challenge)
Devin Cook leads the Inclusive Innovation Challenge, an initiative that explores how technology can drive equity in digital transformation. With a focus on skills development, job creation and financial inclusion, the Challenge highlights global efforts to create a digital economy that works for everyone. Discover how inclusive innovation is gaining momentum around the world, making a positive impact on people and the planet.
Viktor Mayer-Schönberger (Professor of Internet Governance and Regulation at Oxford University)
Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, Professor of Internet Governance at Oxford, delves into how Big Data can be a game-changer in the fight against Covid-19. He warns that without solid public-private partnerships, we risk losing trust in this powerful tool. Understanding its potential impact is crucial to responsibly integrating big data into our post-pandemic world.
Malcolm Fisk (Senior Researcher at the De Montfort University Leicester)
Malcolm Fisk, who advises the World Health Organization on telehealth and digital health, talks about how telehealth grew quickly during the Covid-19 pandemic. He explains that while some regions were familiar with it, making telehealth a permanent solution will require a system that meets the needs of all patients and doctors.
Dipak Kalra (European Medical Information Framework lead)
Dipak Kalra, head of the European Medical Information Framework project, explains why protecting patient privacy is crucial, even during a pandemic. His team developed a code of conduct to guide researchers in using health data responsibly. He stresses that, even in times of crisis, we must maintain strong privacy standards to protect sensitive personal information.
Helmut Spudich (former Vice President of Corporate Communications and Responsibility at T-Mobile Austria)
Helmut Spudich, who has extensive experience in telecommunications and journalism, discusses the critical role of the sector during the pandemic. He highlights how telecoms data could support contact tracing, but only with strong cooperation and clear regulation. In his book, he navigates the delicate balance between public safety and privacy.
Tima Bansal (Professor for Sustainability & Strategy)
For Tima Bansal, building connections between sustainability and innovation is essential. As Executive Director of the Network for Business Sustainability, she understands the challenges of aligning these fields. Bansal shares how creating informal spaces for dialogue and using a systems perspective can help businesses and researchers collaborate effectively towards a sustainable future.
Alexander Grots (Head of Bashiru and Co-Founder of Pro-Glove)
Having joined IDEO in 2001, Alexander Grots has seen Design Thinking grow from a novel concept into a global movement. Now leading Bashiru, he discusses the transformation of this methodology into a powerful tool for creating inclusive and sustainable solutions, while maintaining its original spirit of creativity and collaboration.
Corey Phelps (Professor at McGill University)
In an engaging conversation, Corey Phelps reveals the key factors that drive successful business alliances. Highlighting the importance of communication and trust, he shares insights on how to create partnerships that foster innovation and responsibility. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to build alliances that thrive in today’s uncertain landscape.
Robert Madelin (Senior Strategist and Special Advisor at FIPRA)
The Sustainable Development Goals provide a unique opportunity for the European innovation eco-system. André Martinuzzi met Robert Madelin in Brussels and learned how we can implement the SDGs in the European innovation sphere.
Sebastiano Toffaletti (Secretary General of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance)
Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and family businesses form the backbone of the European economy. For SMEs, hyper-competitiveness, high investment costs and extreme market volatility pose serious challenges – especially in the arena of high tech and emerging technologies. Sebastiano Toffaletti explains how responsibility helps SMEs to establish robust business models in the digital age.
Darko Huljenic (Manager for Technology & Science Relations at Ericsson Nikola Tesla)
Access to digital technology is essential for societal well-being, yet marginalized groups often struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancements. Addressing the daily needs of elderly or disabled individuals presents a significant business opportunity. Darko Huljenic discusses how responsible innovation can facilitate the co-design of medical solutions that genuinely serve societal needs.
Giulia Bubbolini (Head of EU and Institutional Projects at the Centre for Innovation and Economic Development)
Public engagement, open access, gender, ethics and science education represent the central pillars of Responsible Research and Innovation. But how can companies integrate these abstract concepts into business operations and corporate strategies? Innovation support agencies help to translate RRI principles into daily business life. Giulia Bubbolini explains how CISE helps SMEs with their first steps in RRI.
Kevin Macnish (Assistant Professor for Ethics and IT University of Twente)
On May 25 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force in the European Union. Experts see the GDPR as a milestone in setting standards in terms of privacy. Many companies, however, see it as an additional administrative burden. Kevin Macnish, why the GDPR is a fundamental prerequisite to approach emerging technologies responsibly.
David Wright (Director Trilateral Research)
The GDPR has raised the bar for privacy and data protection. However, in light of emerging technologies such as smart homes, big health data and machine learning, further regulations will be needed. David Wright says that robust data protection forms a competitive advantage for Europe in the digital age: “Trustworthy tech made in the EU”.
Kevyn-Eva Norton (Digital Transformation Consultant)
Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things and Social Robotics mark the next big steps in technological development. As these emerging technologies hold enormous, yet unexplored transformative potential, the need to innovate responsibly, inclusively and sustainably is now greater than ever. Kevyn-Eva Norton explains why the ICT industry should establish „Corporate Digital Responsibility“.
Luis Galindo (Head of Innovation 2.0 at Telefonica Spain)
Automation systems, sensors, monitoring devices and other emerging technologies will fundamentally change the way we live. However, is the data that we „freely“ share always treated with respect, or could it be turned against us? Luis Galindo thinks that emerging tech may even undermine our critical thinking abilities as humans.
Joan Cornet (Director at Digital Health Observatory)
Both, emerging technologies and the ageing society will fundamentally change healthcare systems all over Europe. The Director of the Digital Health Observatory, Joan Cornet, supports the medical industry, health care suppliers and patients to navigate these profound changes. In this Interview, he tells us how the Observatory serves as a central knowledge and network hub for digital health.
Klaus-Peter Wegge (SIEMENS Accessibility Competence Center)
In many ways, the digital transformation has changed how people with wisabilities live for the better. However, many companies still struggle to engage with vulnerable users: Are elderly people willing to interact with care robots and holographic doctors? Or will they feel dehumanized and isolated? Klaus-Peter Wegge shows how inclusive innovation can create a win-win situation for both users and companies.
Hans Dietl (Science Officer at Ottobock HealthCare)
In the sphere of prosthetics, the digital transformation offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation. Intelligent artificial limbs learn from individual user needs and smart sensors allow prostheses to interact efficiently with their immediate surroundings. And there is more to come: Hans Dietl shows what the bright future of prosthetics holds for patients.
Christophe Vetterli (Partner at walkerproject ag)
In the context of the digital transformation, healthcare is one of the most innovative sectors. Emerging technologies, e.g. big health data and tele-medicine are about to disrupt patient experiences of healthcare. In this Interview, Christophe Vetterli explains how Design Thinking helps to design solutions that perfectly fit the needs of patients.
Lydia Montandon (Business Development Director at Atos Spain)
In the digital era, overuse of technology may have severe consequences for people’s physical or mental health. But how can emerging technologies support us to stay fit and healthy? Lydia Montandon explores how the ICT industry may innovate responsibly in the intimate field of personal fitness and preventive healthcare.
Rainer Kuhn (Project Leader at Dialogik)
In the era of disruption and uncertainty companies, products, and entire sectors come and go. To meet the challenges of volatile markets and uncertain user needs, businesses adopt more inclusive, open and transparent innovation methods. In this Interview, Rainer Kuhn, explains how stakeholder engagement helps industries to innovate more responsibly and democratically.
Kostas Iatridis (Lecturer in Business and Society at the Unversity of Bath)
Over the past few years, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been widely adopted in the corporate sphere. However, sustainability and responsibility issues still have to be expanded into the primary operations of business – the innovation processes. In this Interview, Kostas Iatridis explains why Responsible Innovation is a powerful extension to CSR.
Vincent Block (Associate Professor at Wageningen University)
The social responsibility of business is to increase profits – or is it more than that? Responsible Research and Innovation seeks to align business interests with larger societal or environmental interests. Vincent Blok shows what industry can learn from responsible startups and social entrepreneurs.
Marzia Mazzonetto (Co-Founder and Senior Consultant at StickyDot)
How can we ensure long-term market success in the era of uncertainty and disruption? Taking a plurality of different perspectives and individual needs into account, responsible innovation fosters successful market adoption. Marzia Mazzonetto shows how a change in perspective can create added value for companies and contribute to a better society at the same time.
Garima Sharma (Assistant Professor at the Anderson School of Management, University of New Mexico)
Co-creation brings together stakeholders from different sectors and mobilizes the creative potential of participants. But sometimes it can be challenging to bridge the gap between the different knowledge systems of managers, researchers and citizens. Garima Sharma reveals the secret ingredient to a successful co-creation process.
Bernd Stahl (Director of the Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility at DeMontfort University Leicester)
Artificial intelligence, self-learning algorithms and decision-making machines are key enabling technologies of our time. But will autonomous machines become super-intelligent and much more powerful than their human counterparts? Will we enter the post-human world? Bernd Stahl shows why we need business ethics to stay in control of AI.
Eileen Trauth (Professor Emeritus in Information Sciences & Technology and Women´s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the Pennsylvania State University)
In public healthcare, everybody is welcome! But a closer look reveals that many medical facilities or diagnostic procedures are tailor-made for the male body only. In this Interview, Eileen Trauth tells us why women need to have a big say in the design of future healthcare.
David Coles (Director of Enhance International)
In the last decades, groundbreaking innovations have improved the quality of life substantially. However, some promising solutions have led to big, unintended side effects – as we have seen with genetically modified organisms or nuclear research. To assess unwanted consequences of technology, David Coles, calls for a “What could possibly go wrong” day in businesses of all sizes and sectors.
Paolo Falcioni (Director General of APPLiA – Home Appliance Europe)
Using secondary raw materials is a crucial component of circular economy approaches. In the last years, Europe’s home appliance industry has been making huge progress in expanding individual product life cycles. Paolo Falcioni explains how connected homes help to save energy and resources, and promote a circular culture.
Ad van Berlo (Founder and R&D Manager of Smart Homes in Eindhoven)
The era of smart has reached our homes. Big tech companies are ready to automate our home experience. But will smart homes just be gadgets for nerds or really turn the way we live upside down? Ad van Berlo takes stock of the last decades of smart home development in Europe.
Edwin Hannink (Director of Theben Nederland)
Smart homes promise to automate our home experiences. To accomplish this feat, tools and devices from different vendors need to be seamlessly integrated into a single smart home system. Edwin Hannink explains how the KNX association develops a single standard protocol to tackle the challenge of interoperability of smart homes all over Europe.
Rikke Ullersted (Founder Upcycling Forum)
Circular economy is on the rise in Europe. Still, many sectors struggle for solutions to re-use their waste materials. Rikke Ullersted shows how her initiative brings together designers and industry partners to drive the transition towards a more closed economy.
Javier Echarri (Business Angel and Director of the European Business Innovation Center Network)
The availability of excessive venture capital and risk-averse investors put the United States and China at the forefront of innovation. In Europe, however, value-driven entrepreneurs represent a promising alternative in the global race for the next big thing. Javier Echarri explains how responsible innovation may create a unique selling proposition for European startups.
Werner Wutscher (CEO of New Venture Scouting)
Startups are associated with disruptive innovations, lean organization and seven figure sell-outs. Often, these myths do not reflect the cumbersome economic reality of innovative founders and social entrepreneurs in search for a viable business model. Werner Wutscher reveals the secret ingredients to sustainable startup success.
Bettina Maisch (Design Thinking Expert at SIEMENS
Design Thinking turns the innovation process upside down. It does not start from technological feasibilities and opportunities but puts people and their needs at the heart of innovation. Bettina Maisch introduces the stages of a successful design thinking process and explores how responsibility fits into the framework.
Nir Menachemi (Chair of the Policy and Management Department of the Indiana University)
Over the last years, spending on the US public healthcare system has skyrocketed. But a paradigm shift towards more prevention may substantially save costs upfront. Nir Menachemi shows how hospitals use predictive capacities of artificial intelligence to support preventive services in healthcare.
Simon Pickard (Network Director of the Brussel-based Science | Business forum)
Over the last years, spending on the US public healthcare system has skyrocketed. But a paradigm shift towards more prevention may substantially save costs upfront. Nir Menachemi shows how hospitals use predictive capacities of artificial intelligence to support preventive services in healthcare.
Dipak Kalra (President of the European Institute for Innovation through Health Data)
The digital transformation opens up immense opportunities to learn from big health data. However, major concerns about patient privacy and information interoperability across different databases prevail. Dipak Kalra shows how we can innovate responsibly in this very intimate sphere of our lives.
Harald Katzmair (Founder and Director of FAS Research)
Innovation is at the core of business. It creates value, stimulates growth and secures jobs. However, many companies struggle to design effective innovation processes. Harald Katzmair tells us the secret ingredients companies need to manage a successful and responsible innovation portfolio.
Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl (Director General of Digital Europe)
Europe offers a vivid playing ground where new ideas can flourish. However, many promising innovators and unicorns leave, because the European market is too fragmented to scale up their businesses. Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl explains how we can build a stronger digital Europe.
René von Schomberg (Science & Technology Expert)
Innovation creates our common future. To mitigate risks and unintended side effects of innovation, the European Commission has promoted the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). This policy framework supports businesses to align products with societal core values. Often coined as the “father of RRI”, René von Schomberg talks about his groundbreaking conceptualization of RRI.
Sabine Herlitschka (CEO Infineon Austria)
In the global race for the next big thing, Europe has its unique selling proposition. In contrast to state-driven or private forms of innovation, Europe´s innovation ecosystem is strongly driven by key values (e.g democracy, human rights, freedom, sustainability and equality). Sabine Herlitschka shows how her company takes European values to the heart of the innovation process.