The almost traditional workshop on the future of materials research took place again this year in Alpbach shortly before the start of the Technology Talks. Due to the Corona crisis, a hybrid format was used for the first time, with two thirds of the participants physically present at the Alpbacherhof. The basis for the discussions and group work was formed by EU strategy papers, several studies, the results of an online survey on the topic of Industry 5.0 and the input of exciting keynote speeches.
The workshop was jointly organised by BMK (Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology) - Alexander Pogany, ASMET (The Austrian Society for Metallurgy and Materials) - Bruno Hribernik and Gerhard Hackl, AIT (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH) - Marianne Hörlesberger and JR (Joanneum Research) - DI. Helmut Wiedenhofer.
The participants discussed Industry 5.0 in research and in the materials industry, materials production, the entire value chain in the materials sector, the opportunities and business models in connection with Industry 5.0, but also ethical and legal aspects. The impact of Industry 5.0 and opportunities for the materials sector were also a topic. This involved questions such as: What does one understand by Industry 5.0 in principle? What role does Industry 5.0 play along value chains in the materials sector and how can the link to a green materials sector succeed here? How must companies prepare for Industry 5.0? What skills and what infrastructure are needed for this?
The participants' conclusion: Industry 5.0 complements Industry 4.0 and goes far beyond it; people and the environment must be decisively included. Industry 5.0 emphasises aspects that, in addition to economic or technological factors, should focus particularly on the well-being of society. The environment, social issues and fundamental rights will play a central role alongside economic and technological factors. Thus, Industry 5.0 cannot be understood as a chronological continuation or alternative to the existing Industry 4.0 paradigm. The next step in the evolution adds human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience to the industrial revolution.
In particular, the relationship between humans and machines needs to be better clarified: humans with their values and needs must be at the centre of any technology development. The participants expect Industry 5.0 to enable industry and emerging social trends and needs to coexist and complement each other, thus achieving success together.
Advances in knowledge and technology help us to manage transformation processes in the economy and society and thus to deal with the major challenges of our time, such as climate, mobility, digitalisation, environmental protection, energy or an ageing society. Technology will continue to have a significant impact on the competitiveness of economic systems in the future.
Contact: Marianne Hörlesberger, AIT Center for Innovation Systems & Policy