What does it mean to place humans at the center of industrial innovation?
The latest Foresight Brief 02/2025 from the AIT Center for Innovation Systems & Policy examines how human-centricity can be anchored as a core principle in the technological and organizational development processes of Austria’s manufacturing sector.
The publication was developed as part of the AIT project Transformative Pathways and Strategies and was authored by Wolfram Rhomberg and Nico Pintar, in collaboration with Denise Branz (Plattform Industrie 4.0). It draws on the findings of the ERA Roadmap and insights from a dedicated workshop involving experts from research, industry, and policy.
Key topics addressed in the brief:
- A maturity model for the gradual implementation of human-centric business practices
- The integration of social, technological, and organizational aspects in industrial transformation
- Challenges related to resources, responsibilities, interoperability, and data protection
- An analysis of the European funding landscape and international innovation dynamics
- Recommendations for action targeted at businesses, policymakers, and educational institutions
Within the brief, human-centricity is not only seen as a design-oriented approach, but as a strategic lever for strengthening innovation capacity, employee motivation, and organizational resilience – making it a key success factor for a sustainable and future-proof industry.
The brief is now available for download.
Learn more about the project Transformative Pathways and Strategies