The European Japan Experts Association (EJEA), The Graz University of Technology (TUGraz), the University of Graz (UnivGraz) and the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) jointly organize the international conference “Human-Centered Digitalization: How to Develop Next Generations of Humans and Robots for a Secure, Harmonic and Prosperous Future of Europe and Japan“.

The current hype on digitalization is reflected beyond others by numerous conferences, symposia, and workshops. However, the events primarily focus in a fragmented way or on even more specific aspects of the digital transformation. At a first glance, it seems that any interest and need in the topic of digitalization is already served by those events. Thus, the question arises, if there is any need for yet another conference?

However, this question touches only the surface of the discussion, because it does not take into account the enormous and inadequate fragmentation of the reflections at one hand and the complexity and interconnectedness of the processes at the other hand.

Not to forget: without integrating the involved relevant humanistic and ethic aspects - such as digital maturity, digital personality, digital competence - any attempt of technical solution is meaningless!

The aim of the conference is to identify ways of safeguarding and maintaining human integrity and values in the midst of a technological development where they become less and less necessary for the technologies to work. While not denying the benefits of technological advancements the organizers of this conference would also like to discuss how to develop the next generations of humans and robots for a secure and prosperous future, not least for Europe and Japan.

The conference is part of 150 years anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria.