One year of FH Upper Austria DigiSpace: management knowledge and artificial intelligence

One year ago, the FH Upper Austria Digispace opened its doors at the FH Upper Austria Campus Steyr. 70 courses, 7 conferences, more than 150 working meetings and many school workshops and events later, the DigiSpace has established itself as a center for digital innovation beyond the borders of Upper Austria. The focus is on the economic use of new technologies and the strategic role of management in the digital transformation.

"The interest in DigiSpace exceeded our expectations. The presentations of our "showcases", in which the degree programmes demonstrate research results and the potential of digitalization for AI, automation and analytics, were particularly popular. This has resulted in numerous cooperation projects with companies, including international ones. The interest in the showcases comes not only from companies, but also from our school partners," says Dean Heimo Losbichler, pleased with the great interest in DigiSpace.

Plans for the future

"We would like to continue along the path we have taken with the three priorities of teaching, research and transfer. The ongoing modernization of the infrastructure in order to always remain at the cutting edge will certainly be one of the challenges," Losbichler continues. Klaus Arthofer, Coordinator of the FH Upper Austria DigiSpace, adds: "Together with colleagues from the Hagenberg campus, we are currently working on setting up a Large Language Model research lab. This AI lab will use machine learning techniques to understand and generate human language. A first step here is the planning of a research project to develop a digital assistant for legal issues in accounting."

Business studies at the cutting edge

"In DigiSpace, for example, our students learn how to negotiate in international online settings or in hybrid situations, using tools to measure their own emotions in order to reflect on their own often unconscious behavior. In the "Artificial Intelligence Lab for Marketing, Sales and Export" course, students learn how to integrate AI into their daily work and use it for strategic considerations in a meaningful and beneficial way. In addition, students train their own presentation skills with the help of mobile eye tracking," says course director Margarethe Überwimmer, describing some of the practical applications in courses.

What students say about DigiSpace and how they benefit from it

Johanna Deger: "The DigiSpace has had a real impact on my studies. At the Innocamp, where I took part with some fellow students, the pitch was held there, which was really cool. We had practical lectures there, such as "Sales Training" in the last semester. The digital boardroom with its interactive booths is ideal for group work and role plays. I definitely took away new skills and knowledge from it!"

Kristina Forster: "The integration of the DigiSpace into my studies offers the opportunity to test theoretical knowledge directly in practical applications. One example was the use of the eye tracking lab during the fifth semester. This experience made it possible to experience eye tracking technology first-hand and understand how and for what it can be used in the field of marketing."

Daria Malomuzh: "I'm currently attending a course in Digispace that deals with making presentations clearer and more effective with the help of AI. The Digispace offers ideal conditions for this, as it has booths with state-of-the-art equipment where you can work on projects in small groups undisturbed and use interactive, digital tools for teamwork. In terms of learning new skills, I was able to experience what it is like to "digitally" assemble a motorcycle engine by using VR glasses. This experience was extremely fascinating and entertaining at the same time."

DigiSpace: A space of digital possibilities for the future of management

On an area of more than 500 square metres, the FH Upper Austria DigiSpace on the Steyr campus offers the opportunity not only to experience the potential of digitalization for companies, but also to actively help shape it. The focus is on the economic use of digital technologies and the decisive role of management in the development and implementation of digital strategies. The concept for this center of digitalization was developed by Professor Michael Shamiyeh, Head of the "Center for Future Design" at the University of Art and Design Linz, and implemented by Hertl.Architekten.

Facts and figures
https://digispace.fh-ooe.at
Video about the DigiSpace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

The FH Upper Austria DigiSpace

• enables internationally recognized, interdisciplinary research on business management potential and practical implementation requirements in selected areas of digital transformation
• is a contact point for companies with questions about digital transformation and allows them to test the possibilities of digitalization in real life, thus contributing to strengthening competitiveness, opening up new business areas and founding start-ups
• is the basis for future-oriented teaching and the transfer of digital skills
• networks the digitalization activities of the FH Upper Austria across locations and faculties

Key facts about the DigiSpace

• 500 m2 room on two levels with 12 interactive touchscreens
• Digital boardroom with a 5-metre-wide LED video wall and 5 booths
• Laboratories for behavioral analysis with state-of-the-art, fully integrated sensors and software (Behavioral Analysis Labs)
• Smart production area with 3D printer, cobot and mixed reality area

The content of the digitalization center is based on six innovative topics:

• Data-supported management of companies
• Digital process design in companies
• Digital products and services
• Digital business models
• Digital value creation networks
• People in the digital world of work