• Tue 10.03.

    Heated outdoor cafés in times of climate change?

    Outdoor heating systems have become a crucial element of the restaurant experience in Vienna, allowing consumption of food and drink even in the cooler seasons. Taking urban sustainability into account, this project, funded by the City of Vienna, brought together experts to identify the advantages and disadvantages, as well as options for communal…
  • Wed 04.03.

    Working safely with nanomaterials – but how?

    The market for engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is growing significantly. These substances are found in many products, from electronic goods to food. As a result, more and more people are coming into contact with ENMs in their everyday working lives. Defining occupational exposure limits, however, is complex.
  • Tue 03.03.

    Science skepticism in times of crisis

    Has skepticism towards science become a serious problem in Austria? Although confidence levels remained high during the coronavirus crisis, the ‘Querdenker’ protests made it clear that considerable reservations about science and experts can arise across society. ITA Scientist Alexander Bogner, an expert in this field, presents his latest findings…
  • Thu 26.02.

    The ITA in the media 2025

    Is democracy collapsing worldwide? Will AI soon replace us in the workplace? Are the divides that emerged during the coronavirus pandemic already insurmountable? All these important social issues are at the heart of the research conducted by the Institute for Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). Renowned…
  • Tue 10.02.

    Child protection on the internet – Austrian Chamber of Labour presents ITA study

    How can a social media ban for children and young people be implemented without creating new risks? What is technologically feasible, what is still just an idea? An ITA study presented by the Austrian Chamber of Labour on 10 February examines open questions surrounding age verification on the internet. For the project team, Fabian Fischer and Anna…
  • Thu 18.12.

    Let’s talk about genetic engineering with animals and microorganisms!

    A few years ago, the discovery of the CRISPR/Cas genetic scissors caused quite a stir. Since then, technical possibilities and scientific expertise have developed rapidly. Today, genetically modified organisms can be designed for almost anything: in the food industry, for fuel production, for insect control. But where is the public debate on the…
  • Wed 17.12.

    The digitisation of life as conducted by Natural History Museum in Vienna

    Digitisation is casting natural history museums around the world in a new light. Interactive and digital platforms allow the public to immerse themselves in the history of exhibits and evolutionary developments more directly than ever before. ITA researcher Karen Kastenhofer, focusing on the Natural History Museum in Vienna, highlights the…
  • Wed 10.12.

    Can the EU preserve the right to privacy?

    What can the EU's digital strategy achieve? How can our fundamental right to data protection be strengthened in the age of AI and global data collection? A new ITA dossier analyses the options.
  • Wed 03.12.

    Forever chemicals, financial influencers, glacier melt – new ITA report for Austrian Parliament

    Human organs-on-chips, sustainable AI data centres, forever chemicals, Alpine natural hazards in climate change, financial influencers and the value of education with AI tutors – these are the six future topics that the Institute for Technology Assessment (ITA) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), together with its cooperation partner, ITAS…
  • Thu 20.11.

    Austrian initiative: EU commits to digital sovereignty

    At Austria's initiative, an EU-wide declaration on digital sovereignty was adopted at a Berlin summit on 18 November. ITA Director Michael Nentwich, a member of an expert group convened by Austrian State Secretary Alexander Pröll, welcomes this step and hopes for the rapid implementation of an independent European infrastructure.