What began in 1979 as an experimental cultural project has long since developed into a leading international festival that presents visionary concepts for the future and triggers controversial discourse. In the imposing setting of the former POSTCITY post and parcel distribution centre, the city is transformed into a laboratory of ideas for a few days: Here, researchers and artists, engineers and philosophers, entrepreneurs and activists come together to search for answers to the question of how we can not only shape the digital transformation, but also critically reflect on it. Against this inspiring backdrop, the Specific Group from Vienna, with a newly opened location in Liz, and the #schongenial initiative hosted a high-calibre event entitled Zukunftsimpulse 2025 in the presence of Ars Electronica mastermind and CEO Gerfried Stocker .
Specific Group: Now also with its own location in Linz
The Specific Group is a Vienna-based company that specialises in customised software solutions for complex business processes. The Group uses its in-depth technical expertise to support its customers in setting up innovative digital infrastructures and efficiently developing existing systems. This is not just about the technology itself, but also about strategic advice on how innovation can be implemented in a sustainable and scalable way
Magnus Penker in Linz
While the Specific Group set out the technological framework, #schongenial supplemented the discussion with social questions: What will it take to ensure a successful society in the future despite all the change? It was precisely this dualism - technology on the one hand, society on the other - that made the evening so exciting. At the centre, however, was a man who is regarded worldwide as a thought leader in innovation: Magnus Penker, founder of the Innovation360 Group and internationally sought-after consultant.
In his keynote speech, Penker spoke about how innovation is not an accidental by-product of creative minds, but rather a data-supported, systemic process. His approach is based on many years of management consulting, including for companies such as Henkel, and on the development of instruments that can be used to measure innovative ability. His statement was particularly succinct: "But there is no general formula for success." He made it clear that every company has to find its own way - whether through incremental innovation that improves existing processes or radical innovation that creates completely new products and technologies.
Europe's challenge and looking ahead
Penker emphasised that, compared to countries such as China, Europe often acts too cautiously and rarely thinks big enough. The lack of willingness to take risks is an obstacle to radical innovation. According to Penker, innovation always starts with people and should not be delegated exclusively to artificial intelligence. Although chatbots are able to analyse existing data, real creative approaches will continue to come from people in the future.
Recommendation: be sure to visit the festival until Sunday!
