LINZ. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the key to the competitiveness of Upper Austria as a business location. At the official launch of the “WunderKInd” campaign by Governor Mag. Thomas Stelzer on April 8, 2026, at the Linz Landhaus, the Pro²Future team demonstrated how applied research makes the leap into industrial practice.
The Pro2Future GmbH competence center underscores the central role of Upper Austria’s AI Excellence Strategy through its participation. On-site, Markus Jäger, Ouijdane Guiza, and Verena Szojak provided exclusive insights into current research work, clearly demonstrating that AI in Upper Austria is not an abstract concept but creates tangible value.
Hands-on AI: Human-Machine Collaboration
A highlight of the presentation was the interactive Chocolate Robot, managed by Verena Szojak. Originally developed for the “Long Night of Research,” it demonstrates how modern human-robot collaboration can be made flexible and safe through AI-based hand and object recognition. This demonstrator symbolizes assistive robotics, which relieves humans of physically demanding tasks without replacing them.
Focus Projects: Sustainability and Data Sovereignty
In addition, we presented key research projects aimed directly at industrial reality:
- RefactorAI: This project utilizes Generative AI (LLMs) to efficiently modernize legacy software systems, sustainably securing valuable process expertise.
- Streaming AI & FedAI4Industry: These projects focus on resource-efficient and data-sovereign AI. Through Federated Learning, machines train models collectively while sensitive data remains local and secure on the devices.
Education as a Foundation: LifeLongLearning “Cognitive Industry Engineering”
To secure the AI Excellence Strategy in the long term, Pro²Future links innovative research directly with high-quality education. A central element is the LifeLongLearning course “Cognitive Industry Engineering.” It qualifies specialists to independently implement cognitive products—systems that perceive and learn—in industrial environments. Find more information about the course and registration here.
“We have the strategy – now we are implementing it step by step,” emphasized Governor Thomas Stelzer. Pro²Future is pleased to support you in the implementation of your AI strategy.
