Beyond AI: What comes after machine learning?

• Which alternative future scenarios for AI go beyond our current understanding?
• What comes after machine learning, what technological leaps are possible?
• What social implications would another quantum leap in AI technology have?
• What solutions does AI offer today and in the future for the economy and society?
• How do businesses, academia, and politics deal with AI, and what framework conditions do they need to create?
• How can AI developments be designed with foresight?
• What impact will AI developments have, and what adapted AI strategies can companies use to prepare themselves?
• What role will generative AI play in corporate cybersecurity in the future?

We look at AI from a future perspective: What are the next conceivable steps in its development, what are the social consequences, and how can stakeholders in business, politics, and research create responsible framework conditions to exploit opportunities and limit risks?

AI and Digital Transformation in the workplace

The central research question of this study for the Vienna Chamber of Labor was: Which emerging topics, short- and medium-term socio-technical trends, and developments in AI-related advances are leading to which changes in work activities?

To this end, Fraunhofer ISI used systematic, semi-automated horizon scanning of international specialist articles and other selected sources to identify over 4,000 relevant texts and extract over 120 trend signals from them. These were condensed into 59 trend signals based on expert opinion and evaluated according to their relevance for the transformation of the world of work. These were then condensed in a stakeholder workshop on emerging future topics for the Vienna Chamber of Labor, and opportunities and risks were discussed in depth.

Beyond the Machine – Visualizing futures in the age of generative AI 

The project investigated how human-machine interaction can be responsibly designed when using generative AI for the visualization of future scenarios. In collaboration with experts from futurology, design, and technology development, processes were tested and opportunities and challenges for application as well as implications for society as a whole were derived.

The future of cybersecurity in Germany

What cybersecurity-specific threats could affect Germany in the next ten years? Which areas need particular protection, and what approaches can be used to counter them? To answer these questions, an environmental analysis and horizon scanning were carried out. Based on this, four exploratory scenarios for 2040 were developed, assessing the opportunities and risks for German cybersecurity. Experts and stakeholders from the cyber agency participated in the scenario process and a Delphi survey. Finally, overarching challenges were discussed in an internal strategy workshop.

RIBRI – Radical Innovation Breakthrough Inquirer

In this foresight project we have identified 100 Radical Innovation Breakthroughs for the future. Artificial Intelligence and Robots were considered to be important enabling technologies triggering radical breakthroughs.

Foresight Fraunhofer – future topics for applied research

“Foresight Fraunhofer” identified 51 future topics for applied research in 2030. The key topics defined as “Spotlights” include algorithms and hybrid software architectures, for example (Brain, Bio Inspired Electronics, Biohybrid, Cyber Reasoning Systems, Deep Learning – AI, Neuromorphic Chip, Small Data Algorithms, Soft Robots, Swarm Robot Intelligence).