Europe is entering a decade in which technological leadership, economic competitiveness, security and resilience can no longer be considered separately. The central question of the “Technology Talks Austria 2026”, which will take place this year on 10 and 11 September 2026 at MuseumsQuartier Wien, back-to-back with the FFG Forum, is therefore: How can Europe translate scientific excellence into technological leadership, industrial strength, strategic autonomy and long-term resilience?
Austria’s leading research and technology conference, held under the title “Empowering Europe: Technological Leadership for a Resilient Future”, follows a narrative arc that ranges from technological capabilities and infrastructure to industrialisation and security, as well as sovereignty, framework conditions and innovation systems.
Strategic Exchange Between Research, Industry and Policymakers
“The Technology Talks Austria provide a platform for strategic exchange between leading figures from research, industry and policymaking. The aim is to address key challenges and develop shared perspectives on Europe’s capacity for technological action,” explains Brigitte Bach, Chair of the Technology Talks Austria Board of Trustees and Spokesperson of the AIT Managing Board.
“Europe has excellent research capabilities and strong industrial expertise. The decisive question, however, is how we can translate scientific findings more rapidly into technological leadership, industrial value creation and more resilient systems. The Technology Talks Austria provide a platform for developing answers to this key question for the future together with international experts,” emphasises Andreas Kugi, Chair of the Technology Talks Austria Programme Committee and Scientific Director of AIT.
Six Plenary Sessions Featuring 30 International Experts
At the heart of the “Technology Talks Austria 2026” are six plenary sessions in which around 30 internationally renowned top-level speakers and approximately 800 participants will discuss the following topics.
Panel 1: Strategic Infrastructures and Resilient Innovation Ecosystems
The opening panel of the “Technology Talks Austria 2026” will explore how Europe can strengthen its competitiveness, technological leadership and resilience. It will examine the role of resilient physical and digital infrastructures, trustworthy data ecosystems, innovation ecosystems and mission-oriented technologies.
The discussion, featuring representatives from the fields of critical infrastructure, innovation and venture capital, will demonstrate how investment, collaboration and governance can accelerate innovation while also identifying the capabilities required for Europe’s prosperity and long-term resilience.
Panel 2: The Way Forward: From Scientific Excellence to Industrial Leadership
Europe’s scientific excellence provides a strong foundation, yet translating research results into globally competitive companies and industrial leadership remains a major challenge. This plenary session will explore how Europe can strengthen the innovation value chain from research through to industrial implementation.
Leading industry representatives will discuss the skills, partnerships and framework conditions required to introduce and scale strategic technologies on a large scale.
Panel 3: Dual-Use Technologies: Innovation, Security and Spillovers
This session will examine how Europe can use dual-use technologies to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, resilience and security. As technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity, robotics and space technologies are increasingly serving both civilian and military purposes, senior representatives from European institutions, industry, cybersecurity and academia will discuss the priorities and partnerships required to strengthen both Europe’s technological leadership and its security and strategic autonomy.
Panel 4: Technological Sovereignty and European Resilience
This panel will explore how Europe can strengthen its technological sovereignty by developing, deploying and governing critical technologies in line with its strategic interests and competitiveness.
Leading figures from policymaking, research, academia and industry will discuss how innovation, industrial capacity and skilled professionals can reinforce strategic autonomy while reducing critical dependencies and maintaining international cooperation.
Panel 5: EU Framework Conditions for Innovation, Scaling and Impact
This session will focus on the future of European research and innovation policy, including the relationship between the future 10th Framework Programme, FP10, and the planned European Competitiveness Fund, ECF.
The discussion will examine how appropriate governance mechanisms, funding and cooperation can translate research more effectively into innovation and impact. It will address strategic priorities, complementary funding mechanisms and the conditions required for a seamless innovation process, from research and market launch through to industrial scaling.
The session will also highlight the importance of innovation ecosystems, technology infrastructures, European partnerships, procurement and regulatory frameworks.
Panel 6: National Innovation Systems: Unlocking Europe’s Innovation Potential
The concluding panel will explore how national research and innovation systems can strengthen Europe’s global competitiveness in the face of increasing geopolitical and technological competition.
Drawing on the experience of the innovation leaders Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland, the panel will examine successful policy measures, governance models and innovation ecosystems, and identify lessons for Austria and Europe.
The discussion will also consider how national and European policies can be better aligned to promote strategic technologies, cross-border cooperation and Europe’s technological leadership.
Tickets for the Top-Level Programme Available for EUR 250
The plenary discussions will be complemented and explored in greater depth through thematically focused workshops, special events and an exhibition. There will also be extensive opportunities for networking and personal exchange.
Secure your participation in Austria’s leading research and technology conference in good time. Tickets are available at www.technology-talks-austria.at. The regular ticket price is EUR 250, while students pay EUR 125.
Supported by the Research, Technology and Innovation Community
The Technology Talks Austria are organised by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, BMIMI; the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research, BMFWF; the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, BMWET; the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, FFG; and the Federation of Austrian Industries, IV.
High-Level Scientific Advisory Board
The scientific partners involved in developing the programme are acatech, the German Academy of Science and Engineering; the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology; the Christian Doppler Research Association, CDG; Forschung Austria; the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, ISTA; TU Austria; the Austrian Academy of Sciences, ÖAW; and the Austrian Science Fund, FWF.
Broad Range of Partnerships
Event partners already on board include JOANNEUM RESEARCH/State of Styria and TU Austria, comprising TU Wien, TU Graz and Montanuniversität Leoben.
Partnerships have also been confirmed with AI Factory Austria AI, Austrian Cooperative Research, ACR, Austria Wirtschaftsservice, AWS, the Austrian Press Agency APA, ams OSRAM, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bosch, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence, BMLV, Die Presse, ESA Phi-Lab Austria, ESBS Austria, Gaia-X Hub Austria, InnoRegio Styria, Innovation Salzburg, the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft, LBG, Message, Salzburg Research, Siemens Healthineers, the Styrian Business Promotion Agency, SFG, MuseumsQuartier Wien, Neat, Plattform Industrie 4.0, the City of Vienna, Tecnet Equity, TU Wien, the Association for the Promotion of Research and Innovation, VFFI, Volkshilfe and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, WKO.
Further partnerships are currently being finalised.
Technology Talks Austria 2026
Date: 10 September 2026–11 September 2026
Following the FFG Forum on 9 September 2026
Venue: MuseumsQuartier Wien
Museumsplatz 1
1070 Vienna
www.technology-talks-austria.at
Media Enquiries & Contact
Mag. Michael H. Hlava
AIT Communication for Technology Talks Austria
T +43 50550-4014
E: presse@ait.ac.at I www.ait.ac.at