Measured by GDP and key indicators such as investment, exports and labor productivity, Austria is falling further behind the EU as a business location. This is also leading to a progressive loss of competitiveness, which is being exacerbated by the current shortage of skilled workers in all sectors.
One key measure to counteract this development is the increased digitalization of public administration. How is the status quo of the digital state in Austria in comparison to other countries? What are the benefits of the increasing automation of government services for businesses and citizens? What role does artificial intelligence play here?
These and other questions were discussed by Barbara Prainsack, Professor of Comparative Policy Analysis at the University of Vienna, Wolfgang Ebner, Director General Directorate VII, Digitalization and E-Government at the Federal Chancellery and Matthias Wodniok, Member of the Board of Fabasoft on 29 January 2025 in the “Die Presse” studio in Vienna (Photo: Roland RUDOLPH). The expert talk was moderated by Jakob Zirm, Head of the Economist department of the daily newspaper “Die Presse”.
You can find the follow-up report here (available in German only).
