On 27 June 2025, Assoc. Prof. DI Dr. Hilda Tellioğlu participated as a panelist at SPEAK OUT 2025, the future‑ and sustainability‑focused festival hosted by KURIER futurezone, held at the MuseumsQuartier in Vienna. The event brought together experts from business, academia, and civil society to discuss pressing questions surrounding digital transformation.

In the panel “Digital Inclusion – How can we ensure that everyone benefits from digitalization?”, Tellioğlu spoke alongside Rudolf Schrefl (CEO of Drei Austria, telecommunications provider) and Tim Dombrowski (founder of Digitaler Kompass, a non‑profit organization promoting media literacy). Moderated by Claudia Zettel, editor‑in‑chief of futurezone, the discussion explored how digital services must be designed to ensure accessibility for all, what structural and social barriers currently exist, and how different societal actors can take responsibility for equitable digital participation.

The panel highlighted four key aspects:

  • – Accessibility for all: Digital services must be designed to remain accessible regardless of people’s abilities, backgrounds, or access to technology.
  • – Media literacy against fake news: Education and awareness‑building are essential for identifying misinformation and fostering responsible engagement with digital platforms.
  • – Equal opportunities through strong infrastructure: Only reliable, widespread access to digital technologies and networks enables all societal groups to benefit.
  • – Responsibility in dealing with AI, social media & beyond: Companies, institutions, and individuals must actively and transparently address risks, biases, and social impacts of emerging technologies.

The event provided an open forum to discuss topics such as accessibility, digital skills, social justice, and responsible digitalization — all central areas of activity at the Center for Technology‑driven Social Innovation (CTSi). With this alignment in perspective, CTSi looks forward to future collaborative initiatives focused on digital inclusion and socially responsible digital transformation.

More Information: https://futurezone.at/digital-life/speak-out-festival-2025-investion-in-klima-kostet-sigrid-stagl-veranstaltung-wien/403050849 and https://speakout.futurezone.at/

Tellioğlu, H., (2025). Digitale Inklusion - Wie stellen wir sicher, dass Alle von der Digitalisierung profitieren können. Panelist in futurezone speakout, June 27, 2025, Museumsquartier, Arena21 Hauptbühne, Vienna, Austria.