Viola Gallina
Senior Researcher - Fraunhofer Austria
Tentative Title: "Standardization of Digital Product Passport Systems in Europe and Beyond"
Profile
Dr. Viola Gallina is a senior researcher in the Factory Planning and Production Management division at Fraunhofer Austria. Her previous research focused on mathematical programming and machine learning. Currently, her work centers on the circular economy, with a particular emphasis on its data-driven aspects. Her main area of focus is the digital product passport. She earned her PhD and MBA from TU Budapest and teaches at TU Vienna.
Simon Hirländer
Team Lead Reinforcement Learning and Smart Analytics at University of Salzburg - IDA Lab
Tentative Title: "From Theory to Practice: Reinforcement Learning as the 21st-Century ML Paradigm"
Profile
Dr. Simon Hirländer leitet das Team „Smart Analytics & Reinforcement Learning“ am IDA Lab der Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg (PLUS). Nach mehreren Jahren internationaler Forschungstätigkeit am CERN, wo er auch promovierte, konzentrierte er sich darauf, komplexe Systeme wie den CERN-Beschleunigerkomplex mithilfe von Maschinellem Lernen – insbesondere Bestärkendem Lernen (Reinforcement Learning - RL) – zu optimieren. Darüber hinaus erforscht er zahlreiche weitere RL-Anwendungen, unter anderem in den Bereichen Robotik, Telekommunikation und Quantencomputing.
Neben seiner Forschungsarbeit kooperiert Dr. Hirländer eng mit regionalen Industriepartnern in Salzburg, um fortschrittliche Analysemethoden wie Anomalieerkennung, Zeitreihenanalyse und automatisierte Klassifikationsprozesse zu implementieren. Er ist außerdem in der Weiterbildung von Industriepartnern aktiv und hält an der Universität Vorlesungen in den Bereichen Reinforcement Learning und Data Analytics. Zusammen mit seinem Team überführt er neueste wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse in praxisnahe Lösungen für Wirtschaft und Industrie und organisiert internationale Veranstaltungen wie das erste internationale RL Bootcamp, das im vergangenen Jahr in Salzburg stattfand.
Dr. Simon Hirländer leads the “Smart Analytics & Reinforcement Learning” team at the IDA Lab of Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS). Following several years of international research at CERN—where he also obtained his PhD—he focused on optimizing complex systems such as the CERN accelerator complex using machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning (RL). In addition, he explores a broad range of RL applications in fields like robotics, telecommunications, and quantum computing.
Beyond his research, Dr. Hirländer works closely with local industry partners in Salzburg to implement advanced analytics methods such as anomaly detection, time series analysis, and automated classification processes. He is also actively involved in providing professional training for these partners and lectures at the university on topics including reinforcement learning and data analytics. Together with his team, he strives to translate the latest scientific insights into practical solutions for businesses and industry, and organises international events such as the first international RL Bootcamp, held in Salzburg last year.
Neben seiner Forschungsarbeit kooperiert Dr. Hirländer eng mit regionalen Industriepartnern in Salzburg, um fortschrittliche Analysemethoden wie Anomalieerkennung, Zeitreihenanalyse und automatisierte Klassifikationsprozesse zu implementieren. Er ist außerdem in der Weiterbildung von Industriepartnern aktiv und hält an der Universität Vorlesungen in den Bereichen Reinforcement Learning und Data Analytics. Zusammen mit seinem Team überführt er neueste wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse in praxisnahe Lösungen für Wirtschaft und Industrie und organisiert internationale Veranstaltungen wie das erste internationale RL Bootcamp, das im vergangenen Jahr in Salzburg stattfand.
Dr. Simon Hirländer leads the “Smart Analytics & Reinforcement Learning” team at the IDA Lab of Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS). Following several years of international research at CERN—where he also obtained his PhD—he focused on optimizing complex systems such as the CERN accelerator complex using machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning (RL). In addition, he explores a broad range of RL applications in fields like robotics, telecommunications, and quantum computing.
Beyond his research, Dr. Hirländer works closely with local industry partners in Salzburg to implement advanced analytics methods such as anomaly detection, time series analysis, and automated classification processes. He is also actively involved in providing professional training for these partners and lectures at the university on topics including reinforcement learning and data analytics. Together with his team, he strives to translate the latest scientific insights into practical solutions for businesses and industry, and organises international events such as the first international RL Bootcamp, held in Salzburg last year.
Hilda Kosorus
Founder & IT Strategist - Onefold.ai
Title: "Agentic AI: Unleashing the Next Wave of Transformation"
Agentic AI represents a groundbreaking technological shift poised to transform business operations in 2025 and beyond. Imagine AI systems that think, decide, and solve complex problems autonomously, dramatically boosting productivity and reshaping competitive landscapes.
Abstract Don't risk being left behind in the AI revolution. Join us to unlock the secrets of Agentic AI and position your business at the forefront of innovation. This isn't just about understanding a new technology—it's about seizing a competitive advantage that will define the next era of business success.This talk is an essential guide for decision-makers and tech leaders to harnessing this technology.
Discover:
Prepare to lead, not follow, in the age of Agentic AI.
Profile
Founder of Onefold.ai, an AI consultancy dedicated to simplifying AI adoption for businesses. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science and over 15 years of experience in AI and machine learning, I specialize in translating complex AI concepts into actionable strategies. At Onefold.ai, we guide companies from initial blueprints to full-cycle implementations, ensuring AI is accessible and delivers measurable ROI. Our mission is to unlock business potential through a straightforward, no-nonsense approach that drives real-world results and empowers organizations to harness the power of AI effectively.
Ruben Hetfleisch
Lead Generative AI Community - AI Austria / Founder - Klartext AI / Research Associate - Fraunhofer Austria
Tentative Title: "State of Generative AI - Where are we and where do we want to go?"
Profile
Ruben Hetfleisch researches at Fraunhofer Austria on generative AI with a focus on the trustworthiness of language models. While being involved in projects ranging from the automation of sustainability reporting to the creation of the first austrian legal LLM, he runs an AI startup that uses generative AI to make complex documents accessible and easy to understand. He also is the founder of the first GenAI-specialized platform in Austria called “GenAI Community by AI Austria”, where his goal is to further push the GenAI ecosystem.
Stefan Zeppetzauer
Vice President Integrated Diagnotics and Aftersales Transformation / Software-Centric Architecture - KPIT
Tentative Title: "Data-Driven Revolution in Software Defined Vehicles: From Insights to Decision-Making"
Profile
Highly experienced technology professional with a strong background in computer science and telecommunication & -systems. Born in Salzburg, Austria, I graduated in 2005 with a MSc degree from Halmstad University in Sweden and at the University of Applied Science in Salzburg. My career has spanned over two decades, with early beginnings as a Software Developer at In2Soft GmbH. I joined KPIT Technologies GmbH in 2010, taking on key roles in customer projects and eventually leading the Diagnostic Business Unit globally since 2015. Currently, I oversee both the Diagnostic Business Unit (called iDART) and the Software Products of Technical Engineering in the Automotive SDV segment.