Author: Sebastian Benad

On June 27, 2025, the first teaching meeting of the new part-time "AI Management" course took place on the premises of HTL Spengergasse in Vienna. The IBS Academy and the Zittau-Görlitz University of Applied Sciences hosted the event to mark the official start of joint teaching in the coming winter semester 2025/26. Teaching staff from four cooperating institutions came together in an informal but professional atmosphere - a successful start to an innovative course.

The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Christa Riffert, Director of the IBS Academy, together with her deputy Katharina Knappinger. In their welcoming address, they emphasized the importance of cooperation between science and practice. Ms Langschwager from the Zittau-Görlitz University of Applied Sciences then presented the curriculum and the organizational framework of the course.

Teachers from the IBS Academy, HTL Spengergasse, the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences took the opportunity to get to know each other and exchange ideas. Initial ideas for cross-module teaching, in which content is specifically coordinated with each other, made the potential of the cooperation clear. The networking that was initiated was seen as beneficial by all sides and forms the basis for future collaboration.

"AI Management" is aimed at professionals who want to take on responsibility at the interface between management and technology. The course combines business, technological and ethical-legal content in a hybrid format. The majority of classes / courses take place in person at HTL Spengergasse, while lectures are also streamed and recorded online.

A unique feature is the strong practical orientation: around 30 lecturers with professional expertise are involved - including Dr. Gerhard Hager, Director of HTL Spengergasse, who personally leads the statistics and stochastics module. The lecturers also include experts from well-known companies - including the AI manager from Deloitte, the world's leading consultancy firm, which has identified a rapidly growing need for AI-competent managers.

The involvement of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as an equivalent partner ensures technical depth, while the Faculty of Managerial and Cultural Studies contributes its expertise in business education and project teaching. The IBS Academy acts as the central interface for organization and student support in Vienna.

The kick-off set an example: for trust between the participating institutions, for constructive exchange between lecturers and for a study concept that focuses on relevance in the digital transformation. Graduates should become effective as reflected specialists and managers - not only regionally, but also in an international context. The kick-off in Vienna was a successful first step in this direction.