Archives Speakers

Born and raised in Altenmarkt, Salzburg, Martin Kocher initially worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Public Finance after studying economics at the University of Innsbruck.
This was followed by an international academic career with positions at universities in Munich, Amsterdam, Norwich and Gothenburg.
From 2016 to 2021, he was Scientific Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna and Head of the IHS Competence Center for Behavioral Economics “Insight Austria”.
Most recently, he was also President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council (FISK).
On 11 January 2021, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor, Family and Youth by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
With the amendment of the Federal Ministries Act, the areas of Labor, Family and Youth were separated.
Martin Kocher has been Federal Minister of Labor since 1 February 2021.
On 11 May 2022, he was sworn in as Federal Minister for Digitalization and Business Location by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
On 18 July 2022, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs

Born and raised in Altenmarkt, Salzburg, Martin Kocher initially worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Public Finance after studying economics at the University of Innsbruck.
This was followed by an international academic career with positions at universities in Munich, Amsterdam, Norwich and Gothenburg.
From 2016 to 2021, he was Scientific Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna and Head of the IHS Competence Center for Behavioral Economics “Insight Austria”.
Most recently, he was also President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council (FISK).
On 11 January 2021, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor, Family and Youth by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
With the amendment of the Federal Ministries Act, the areas of Labor, Family and Youth were separated.
Martin Kocher has been Federal Minister of Labor since 1 February 2021.
On 11 May 2022, he was sworn in as Federal Minister for Digitalization and Business Location by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
On 18 July 2022, Martin Kocher was sworn in as Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Federal Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs

born
1953 in Villach, is Univ.
Prof. i. R. at the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Vienna.
From 1997 – 2003 he was academic director of the “Philosophicum Lech”, since 2024 he has been co-director of this renowned event.
He publishes regularly as an essayist and columnist in national and international media.
Konrad Paul Liessmann has received numerous prizes and awards, including the Austrian State Prize for Cultural Journalism and recently the Cross of Honor for Science and Art I Class of the Republic of Austria.
His most recent publications include Bildung als Provokation (2017); Der werfe den ersten Stein.
Mythologisch-philosophische Verdammungen (2019, co-authored with Michael Köhlmeier); Alles Lust will Ewigkeit.
Midnight temptations (2021); Loud lies and other truths (2023); Thoughts on responsibility (2023)

Sonja Schmer-Galunder is the Glenn and Deborah Renwick Leadership Professor of AI and Ethics at the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida, where she directs the AI Ethics Program with a focus on the social and cultural dimensions in the ethical development and use of Artificial Intelligence. Based in San Francisco, she regularly travels to the UF campus.

Prior to her academic role, she served as Principal Scientist at Smart Information Flow Technologies. There, she spearheaded multiple multi-million dollar projects exploring technological innovations in the human domain, with particular emphasis on Natural Language Processing, value alignment and model bias. She secured over $10 million in research funding from agencies including DARPA and NASA bridging industry experience with academic leadership.

Birgit Phillips heads the ZML-Innovative Learning Scenarios department at FH JOANNEUM, where she specializes in the integration of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in teaching and learning processes.
Her work in curriculum development and the promotion of innovative teaching methods contribute significantly to modernizing learning environments and increasing learning effectiveness.
In addition to her academic work, she is also active as an examiner for AI manager certifications at Austrian Standards and plays a leading role in various national and international networks.
Head of University Didactics FH JOANNEUM

Mic is one of the leading experts for digitalization and AI in Austria.
He is a keynote speaker and gifted Harald Leitenmüller, born in Linz in 1965, supports forward-looking IT initiatives so that the latest technologies can be used successfully and appropriately.
Topics such as Austria as an ICT location, a fair and open marketplace, technology policies, AI and the competitiveness of the local IT ecosystem have always been of central concern to him.
Before being appointed to the Executive Board, he held various roles from Software Architect, Project/Business Development Manager to Evangelism Group Lead.
In the years before he joined Microsoft, he gained a wealth of experience in international innovation projects in various industries.
It was always important to him to work across industries.
Fortunately, this continues at Microsoft thanks to the enormous diversity of customers and the broad technology portfolio.
Harald is certified by Satya Nadella as a Professional Artificial Intelligence Expert and was awarded the Microsoft Platinum Award in 2018.
As Microsoft Responsible AI Champ, he is responsible for the responsible use of artificial intelligence at Microsoft Austria.
He also teaches Responsible AI concepts as a lecturer at several universities in Vienna.
Harald is Vice President of the Internet Offensive Austria.
He studied communications engineering at the Vienna University of Technology, is married and lives with his wife and two children in Brunn/Geb.
Chief Technology Officer Microsoft Austria GmbH

Mic is one of the leading experts for digitalization and AI in Austria.
He is a keynote speaker and gifted networker.
He began his professional career in IT and software consulting and later took on senior management roles in Silicon Valley.
In 2008, he and his team were among the Austrian pioneers in Silicon Valley, where they were involved in the technical development of key platforms.
In addition to his work, he advises medium-sized and large companies as well as top politicians.
He is also the author of the book “Brave New World 4.0 and the Risks of the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
He talks about the culture of innovation in the USA and Europe, the growing importance of artificial intelligence and robotics and the future of the human-robot relationship.
CEO Apollo.ai

Jeannette Gorzala is a leading figure in the European AI ecosystem.
Among other things, she founded the AI governance consultancy ACT.AI.NOW and the law firm go_legal attorneys at law.
As Vice President of the European AI Forum, she formed one of the largest networks for AI companies in Europe and represented over 2,000 companies in the AI Act legislative process.
She is also Deputy Chair of the AI Advisory Board of the Austrian Federal Government.
With over 15 years of experience, she is a recognized expert in business law and AI.
CEO & Founder ACT.AI.NOW