Industrial AI – Don’t Panic: Review of a galactically successful RISC Pioneers Day 2025
An afternoon for all those who not only want to fly with AI, but want to lead the way.
Pioneers Day 2025: Industrial AI in focus
On March 27, 2025, RISC Software GmbH hosted the first Pioneers Day at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. Under the motto “Industrial AI – Don’t Panic!”, inspired by Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, around 100 guests from business and science came together. They experienced an afternoon full of inspiration, exchange and practical AI knowledge.
Welcome and prelude
After the opening by Rector Prof. Dr. Stefan Koch, Session 1 – Data Intelligence – began. The focus here was on intelligent infrastructure solutions, with several speakers sharing their experiences.
- Thomas Titze (voestalpine Railway Systems GmbH) demonstrated the enormous potential of condition-based maintenance in rail transportation using the example of an intelligent turnout. This made it clear that data-based solutions not only reduce costs, but also increase safety.
- Dr. Michael Wiesauer (Fill GmbH) explained the path “from machine data to action”. He showed how Fill uses system knowledge for smart machine monitoring, thereby reducing downtime.
- The Data Intelligence team at RISC Software GmbH, led by Stefanie Kritzinger-Griebler PhD, presented use cases from industry. However, the team not only discussed successes, but also challenges such as data quality, expectation management and the actual benefits of large language models in an industrial environment.
Session 2 – Large Scale Software
In the second block, Assistant Professor Dr. Johannes Brandstetter (JKU & Emmi AI) gave a visionary presentation entitled “AI4Simulation”. He showed how AI-supported simulations can contribute to solving complex scientific questions in the future. He also explained why latent representations play a key role in this and why this technology is becoming indispensable in many areas. DI (FH) Alexander Leutgeb then reported on how the Industrial Software Applications team at RISC Software GmbH transforms research results into market-ready software products. This made it clear how strongly R&D projects not only generate new ideas, but also flow directly into practice.
Keynote speech on quantum computing
The highlight of the day was the keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Richard Küng (JKU Linz, Cluster of Excellence quantA). After 13 years of international research – most recently at the renowned Caltech – he posed the question: How can quantum computers and classical computers be combined to form a “greater whole” that is more than the sum of its parts? With wit, charm and scientific depth, he provided exciting insights into machine learning in the quantum realm. This was an impressive conclusion to the program. The afternoon was moderated by Bernhard Freudenthaler (CSO) and Cornelia Staub (Marketing & Communications Manager).
Don’t Panic – Just Pioneer!
“The Pioneers Day showed how Industrial AI is already creating real added value today – and how important it is to approach new technologies with enthusiasm, curiosity and courage,” summarizes Wolfgang Freiseisen, CEO of RISC Software GmbH. “Of course, AI is not the answer to all questions – and sometimes ’42’ is simply not enough. This makes it all the more important to keep people at the center of every technological development. We are delighted about the lively exchange with so many committed personalities – and look forward to continuing to pioneer together. “
If you weren’t there: Don’t panic – impressions, photos and videos will follow soon on our website and our social media channels.
Photo gallery
Agenda
| Start | End | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 12:42 | 13:10 | Get-Together |
| 13:10 | 13:30 | Welcome, introduction Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Koch (Rector of the Johannes Kepler University Linz) |
| 13:30 | 15:00 | Session 1 – Data Intelligence The intelligent turnout – Smart turnout systems in rail transport – DI Thomas Titze (voestalpine Railway Systems GmbH) Condition monitoring with system knowledge – Dr. Michael Wiesauer (Fill Gesellschaft m.b.H.) From data to decisions – Industrial AI in practice – Mag. Stefanie Kritzinger-Griebler PhD, Sandra Wartner MSc, Dominik Falkner MSc, DI Dr. Markus Steindl (RISC Software GmbH) |
| 15:00 | 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 15:30 | 17:00 | Session 2 – Large Scale Software AI for Simulation – Ass.-Prof. Dr. Johannes Brandstetter, Co-founder and Chief Scientist Emmi AI, Assistant Professor Johannes Kepler University Linz, Institute for Machine Learning From Development to Deployable Software Product – RISC Software GmbH Keynote: (Machine) Learning in the Quantum Realm – Univ.-Prof. Dr. Richard Kueng, M.Sc. ETH (Johannes Kepler University Linz, Department for Quantum Information and Computation) |
| 17:00 | 17:15 | Summary / Closing |
| 17:15 | 19:00 | Networking |
