21. November 2025
The Wilhelm Exner Medal Foundation honored its 246th laureate: Professor Sepp Hochreiter, one of the world’s leading minds in artificial intelligence (AI) and professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz. With his groundbreaking invention of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) more than 30 years ago, Hochreiter laid the foundation for many AI applications that are used globally today. His work is among the most cited research results by an Austrian computer scientist—more than 100,000 citations speak for themselves.
THE COURAGE TO EMBRACE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION – EVEN FOR SMES
In his acceptance speech, Hochreiter made a clear appeal to the entrepreneurs present:
“Don’t be afraid! Artificial intelligence is a tool – like a hammer or a coffee machine. The key is that we learn how to use it.”
After basic research and the scaling phase, AI is entering its third phase: industrial AI, in which the focus is shifting to the adaptation and use of AI systems in real, effective applications. This is where enormous opportunities are opening up for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND BUSINESS
ÖGV President Peter Lieber emphasized the ÖGV’s founding mission to promote exchange between research and practice in front of around 150 guests from the worlds of business and science. Especially now, in a time of rapid technological change, it is crucial for SMEs to have access to knowledge and networks in order to implement investments in digital technologies in a meaningful and sustainable way.
“We are a place of entrepreneurship where people come together who are willing to take risks for an idea and are passionate about creating something new. In this tradition of Wilhelm Exner, we want to set standards – for a future in which innovation and economic power go hand in hand.”
ACT NOW – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMEs
For SMEs, this means that AI is not a distant future topic, but a concrete opportunity to optimize processes, develop new business models, and remain competitive. The ÖGV sees its task as building bridges, making knowledge accessible, and promoting cooperation – so that digital transformation is not reserved for large companies alone.
Thank you to all the supporters who made it possible to award the medal again this year, with special mention to Kathrein Bank and AT&S.
