Academies encourage the European Commission to adopt a careful and ethical approach to AI in European crisis management

A group of prominent scientists, nominated by the Academy Networks of SAPEA, part of the Scientific Advice Mechanism to the European Commission, is delivering today a report on the role of artificial intelligence in emergency and crisis management. Among its members is Andrej Zwitter, currently Professor of Political Theory and Governance at the University of Groningen. In February 2026, he will move to the University of Klagenfurt, where he will hold the Chair of Human Sciences and Digitalisation and head the current Digital Age Research Center. Today the report was offered to Maciej Popowski, Director-General of the European Commission’s DG ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations).

Multi-UAV Route Planning and Task Assignment for Reforestation Seeding

May 13th 2025 11.45 – 13.15 outdoor HS Kosuta (V.1.27 in case of rain)

About:
Dipl.-Ing. Merna Tohfa is a research and teaching staff member at the Institute
of Networked and Embedded Systems at the University of Klagenfurt.

Abstract : Deforestation in many countries worldwide has led to a significant reduction
in forest areas and a rise in the frequency and intensity of fires, exacerbated by climate
change. The disappearance of native forests contributes to higher net carbon dioxide
emissions in the atmosphere, intensifying the greenhouse effect associated with global
warming [1]. A solution to that problem can be Using drones for aerial seeding in forest
restoration, which holds significant promise but encounters major obstacles that hinder
its efficiency and scalability. Existing methods typically involve blanket seeding across
the entire restoration area, resulting in a large number of seeds being dispersed, many of
which land in locations where they cannot successfully grow [2]. In this research, we
propose Multi-UAV route planning methods that focus on covering selected clusters of
forest land to seed those that have high germination rates instead of seeding all areas of
forest land.

Between Screen and Band saw line 4.0: Mediatization and Subjectivation in the Austrian Forestry and Sawmill Industry

April 30^th 11:45 – 13:15 HS Kosuta (S.2.05 in case of rain)

Manfred Rosenzopf, BA MA (Doctoral studies in Philosophy)

Abstract of the talk:

This presentation introduces a dissertation project that explores the mediatization and subjectivation of work in traditional industrial sectors. With the increasing integration of digital media and communication technologies, the Austrian forestry and sawmill industry is undergoing significant transformation. But what does this mean for the people working in this sector? The ongoing digitalization and technological transformation of work are of interest not only in media and communication studies but also in the sociology of work.

The project aims to analyse everyday experiences in the Austrian forestry and sawmill industry to examine how new digital work and communication practices influence work culture and social interactions. The dissertation is situated within the tradition of Workplace Studies, an interdisciplinary field concerned with the impact of new technologies on work and subjectivity. Theoretically, the project draws on the concept of communication as a form of agency and its effects on work and subjectivation in everyday life. Empirically, employees of a medium-sized forestry and sawmill company will be interviewed in qualitative studies, work processes will be observed, and documents will be analysed.

Preliminary research has shown that a discursive field around the topic of the digitalized world of work is emerging. The more deeply digital transformation penetrates the world of work, the more it alters its organization, conditions, routines, patterns of knowledge, and value systems. This will be examined and discussed using the Austrian forestry and sawmill industry as a case study.

New Book Release: “Democratic Algorithms” by Nikolaus Poechhacker

We are excited to announce the publication of “Democratic Algorithms: Ethnography of a Public Recommender System” by Nikolaus Poechhacker, an exploration into the intersection of algorithm design and democratic values, published by meson press. In his work, Nikolaus Poechhacker ethnographically examines the creation of an algorithmic recommender system within a public broadcaster, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of integrating democratic principles into algorithmic design, raising questions not only about organizational and technical implementation, but also about the possible compatibility of such an algorithmic system with democratic constitutions.

Through comprehensive ethnographic research, Nikolaus Poechhacker addresses pivotal questions on value-by-design processes in the making of algorithmic systems and highlights that making democratic algorithms is an ongoing process, even after the implementation of the software. Further, the book provides careful suggestions, how social theory can help to grasp the complex phenomenon of algorithmic systems. As such, Democratic Algorithms explores theoretically and empirically informed perspectives on how we can imagine and design algorithms for a democratic society, and what we even mean by that.

This publication is available in both print and pdf (open access). For more information and to obtain a copy, visit meson press.

About the Author: Nikolaus Poechhacker is post-doctoral researcher at the Digital Age Research Center (D!ARC) of the University of Klagenfurt and research fellow at the Department of Innovation and Digitalization of Law, University of Vienna. His work focuses on the sociopolitical and -legal dimensions of digital technology bringing together perspectives from media theory, STS, computer science, and sociology.