“Cognitive and Sustainable Products and Production Systems of the Future” was the topic of the 3rd Pro²Future Scientific Symposium on Cognitive and Sustainable Products and Production Systems of the Future of the COMET K1 Center Pro²Future on May 5, 2025 at the Johannes Kepler University Linz.
The symposium was hosted by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alois Ferscha, Scientific Director of the Center, and DI Gerd Hribernig, CEO of Pro2Future GmbH. The event was moderated by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gabriele Kotsis and offered guests on site and participants via Zoom a platform for interdisciplinary exchange on current developments in the fields of cognition, sustainability and digitalization in production.
The symposium was opened by Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alois Ferscha with a keynote speech on the topic of “Cognification – Determined or Free Will?”, which highlighted the role of cognitive systems and their influence on future production systems.
The highlights of the symposium were the two keynote speeches.
Univ.-Prof. DDr. Stefan Thurner (MedUni Vienna, Complexity Science Hub Vienna) chose the topic “Metabolism of society: Why we should understand our supply chain networks” for his keynote speech. He showed how important an understanding of supply chain networks is for our society and how digital twins can help the economy to identify vulnerabilities and risks. Univ.-Prof. Thurner, an internationally recognized expert in complex adaptive systems, provided astonishing insights into the dynamics and significance of global networking.
Afterwards, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Christian Helmenstein (Industriellenvereinigung, Private University Schloss Seeburg) presented his keynote speech “AI as an Economic Game-Changer?”. Univ.-Prof. Helmenstein highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence for the economy and discussed how AI could mitigate demographic challenges and increase productivity. However, he also emphasized the limitations and challenges, such as the shortage of skilled workers and the uneven spread of digital technologies between companies. As Chief Economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries and Professor of Economics, Helmenstein is a proven expert in economic transformation processes.
In lively discussions, the participants were able to contribute their perspectives on the topics of “AI in Pro²Future” and “Sustainability in Pro²Future” and develop ideas together. The symposium therefore not only offered exciting impulses, but also space for personal and virtual exchange.
Finally, DI Gerd Hribernig presented Pro²Future’s newly designed training program, which helps companies to “cognize industry”.
In addition to the speakers, the guests present at the event included Dr. Helmut Ennsbrunner (Fronius International), DI Andreas Hametner (Dynatrace), DI Gerald Fliegel (Primetals Technologies), Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Egyed (JKU Institute ISSE), as well as Dr. Ouijdane Guiza, Dr. Markus Jäger, Thomas Martetschläger and Fiona Wolf (Pro2Future GmbH). Online, we were able to welcome many listeners/viewers from ETH Zurich, NXP, JKU Linz, TU Graz, KEBA, UAR, Fronius, Continental, Soplar sa, Wacker Neuson, Primetals and the Styrian government.
The documents for the presentations and further information are available online for all interested parties. The relevant links can be found here.
https://www.pro2future.at/symposium/
