In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna
Karlsplatz 13
Vienna, Wien, 1040
Austria

Aleix Comas Vives

Assistant Professor

Aleix Comas Vives is an Assistant Professor in Theoretical Chemistry at TU Wien and an associated researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). He studied Chemistry and got his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at UAB. After being a group leader at ETH Zürich and UAB, he joined TU Wien in 2022. He has authored over 70 scientific papers, receiving the Emerging Investigator Award from the Catalan Chemical Society (2021). His present research focuses on using theory to understand how to convert CO2 more efficiently via heterogeneous catalysis to aid in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

Aleodor Tabarcea

Development and Leadership Experience

With over a decade of development and leadership experience, Aleodor Tabarcea has been building and architecting products that touched the lives of millions around the globe. As a servant leader, he dedicates his time to constantly empowering new teams and those around him to expand their horizons, careers, and impact on the world. Being at the heart of innovation and products and with a sprawling network of tech creators and enthusiasts, Aleodor (aka Ale) can give us a snyk behind the curtain of his thoughts on how AI will change the world and how we can shift our mindsets to become the spearhead innovators of this new era.

Ana Simic

Counsel on AI-fueled Business Transformations

Ana Simic stands at the forefront of transformation and digitization in Austria, having orchestrated pivotal change programs within esteemed organizations such as A1, Henkel, and bwin. Today, she delivers incisive counsel on AI-fueled business transformations, streamlining operations, and empowering human potential. Although technology and data form the crux of her work, Ana's passion lies in harnessing human agency to address pressing societal challenges through AI. Her mission? To leverage AI as a tool to benefit everyone. Beyond her transformative work, Ana is a cornerstone in community building, bridging networks, and nurturing connections. With a profound commitment to elevating women, she has championed various initiatives, including building women and climate networks, solidifying her mark as a trailblazing advocate.

Hayden Arp

Songwriter

Hayden Arp is an American songwriter living in Vienna, Austria. He was raised outside of Washington, DC, and studied electronic music composition at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio. His debut single, In the Fading Light, was described by The FADER as “Tingling… gorgeous,” and his debut EP, For Gabriel, was called “Beautiful and elegiac” by ThrdCoast. 2022 has seen him release new music such as “The Ones Who Took it Away,” a song for the climate crisis, and his debut LP, With Eliza, an album about road trips, writing, and Virginia in the summertime. He has performed around the world in cities such as Los Angeles, Paris, Vienna, New York, and Berlin. www.haydenarp.com.

Helmut Rhode

Latino artist

Welcome to the Poncho Party! That's the message from Latino artist Helmut Rhode from Vienna. The young multi-instrumentalist no longer hides his Latin American roots and now only appears on stage and in music videos in ponchos. He calls his redefined style "Poncho Pop" and now occasionally incorporates Spanish lines into his music.

Julia Kruslin

Entrepreneur

Julia Kruslin is an entrepreneur with an eye for societal challenges. In 2021, during a conversation with her close friend and now co-founder, Sophie Thurner, Julia posed a simple question with a long-lasting impact: "How does investing actually work?" This question led to the incorporation of beatvest, an app designed to make the world of investing more accessible and empower users to take control of their financial future. Julia's drive and leadership have earned her a place on Forbes' prestigious 30 under 30 list. She has not only been championing female entrepreneurship but also is a passionate advocate for user-centric product management and – obviously – financial education. Julia Kruslin inspires individuals to make informed financial decisions and drive positive societal change through action.

KALTWIEN

Singer Songwriter / Indie Pop Band

KALTWIEN is a viennese singer songwriter / indie pop band. The poetic german lyrics deal with topics like longing, intoxication and existential fears. At TEDxTU they will perform as a duo: Andreas: vocals and guitar, Stezi: piano.

Kosima Kovar

Entrepreneur

Meet Kosima Kovar, an Austrian trailblazer and two-time founder who's rewriting the rules of the game. At the age of 23, she started sgreening, Austria's first-ever social & green marketing agency, sparking a revolution in sustainable business practices and communication across the nation. Kosima's sustainability journey continued when she founded Ada Growth, where her mission is to put a mentor in every woman’s pocket. Using the innovative Ada App, she's paving the way for a new era of mentorship, making expert knowledge accessible for everybody through bite-sized two-minute videos on critical topics like body language and first time leadership. It's about making the strengths of women seen and heard and eliminating broken rungs along the career ladder. Kosima's impact extends beyond boardrooms. Her advocacy for sustainability and gender equality has also earned her a place on the Forbes 30 under 30 list as well as a speaker for the EU.

Kristina Pakhomchik

Co-founder of Data Action

Kristina Pakhomchik is a co-founder of Data Action, a company developing game-based training tools for Data and AI Ethics with a vision to give people and companies the autonomy to shape the values that information technology brings to our lives. As a former Strategy Officer at World Ethical Data Forum and Foundation, she has developed and integrated strategies to increase inclusivity and diversity in discussions surrounding the future of technology. Kristina has a Master’s degree in Global Ethics and Human Values and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from King’s College London, where she researched the impact of vast data collection on the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of thought. Her current research examines the geopolitical implications of digital trade and re-examines the value of data in the face of the rise of Generative AI. Kristina is a passionate sportswoman with a professional past in kitesurfing and rhythmic gymnastics.

Martin Giesswein

Digital Humanist

Martin Giesswein is a digital humanist. His mission is to strengthen the digital literacy of 10,000 people per year. His research and work aims for a digital transformation that serves people and the environment. He achieves this goal as book author and as podcaster, as speaker, online sparring partner, and as faculty member of the WU Executive Academy. He is building digital and real communities, for example as co-initiator of DigitalCity.Wien, as co-founder of the innovation campus Talent Garden Wien, as co-orchestrator of "Community creates Mobility". As CEO, he led the exit-deal of the online portal immobilien.net in 2014. Before that, he breathed corporate air for 15 years, e.g. as General Manager or Marketing Director CEE. www.martingiesswein.com.

Philipp Horner

Chief Sustainability Officer

Philipp Horner is a proud father of 2 sons, which drives his strong motivation for sustainability. He loves to collaborate and work cross-sectoral / -industry. He has a strong technical and economic background and more than 10 years of experience in the automotive & steel industry. After several development steps in the areas of operational excellence, purchasing and circular economy, he is now the Chief Sustainability Officer. Not only balancing but leveraging the opportunities between different aspects of sustainability (people, planet & profit) is his clear goal.

Sabine Köszegi

Full Professor of Labor Science and Organization

Sabine Köszegi, a Full Professor of Labor Science and Organization at TU Wien, brings over two decades of interdisciplinary research expertise, focusing on the dynamic intersections of technology, work, and organization. With a prolific track record of 100+ peer-reviewed papers, Sabine leads a pioneering team dedicated to innovative technology solutions for conflict resolution and negotiation, while also conducting insightful analyses of the evolving landscape of work. Her research delves into the implications of Robotics and AI from a socio-technical perspective, also addressing the societal implications. She's served as a member of the AI HLEG for the European Commission, chaired the Austrian Council on Robotics and AI, and since 2021, is a visiting fellow at the prestigious European Thinktank Bruegel AISBL in Brussels, Belgium, where she investigates gender issues in the 'Future of Work and Inclusive Growth' project.

Stefan Kreihsler

Head of Data Science

Stefan Kreihsler is a data enthusiast. He found his passion in helping people to gain valuable information from their data so that they can make better decisions. In his role as Head of Data Science at Upstream Mobility, he and his team have been working for years to implement innovative projects with customers from the public sector and to establish a data-driven way of working. It is important to him to free data science from the mystical black box and make it comprehensible for everyone. The top priority of every project is customer benefit. For this it is necessary to understand the daily tasks of the customer and to talk to the actual users of solutions. There is no better result for him and his team than seeing the added value that their own work creates for the customers.

The X Quartet

String Quartet

The X Quartet is made up of Elizabeth Basoff, Claudia Duro, Jiaqi Xu, and Ana Percevic, all incredible musicians from around the world who met each other during their studies at Vienna's MDW (Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien). They are based in Vienna.

Tom Urbanek

Entrepreneur

Tom Urbanek, an entrepreneur since he was sixteen, founded more than 20 companies and is an active investor in real estate and startups. Besides his physical security solutions company "TAURUS Sicherheitstechnik" he is also one of the founders of one of the leading real estate investor circles in Austria, the "Immo Invest Club Austria" as well as a founding member of startup boutique VC "Founders of Europe" and a coach and mentor for aspiring real estate investors. In his new book “101 Life Principles” he outlines concepts, ideas and principles that have shaped his businesses and personal life in order to help others improve and succeed in life and business. www.thomasurbanek.com.

Verena Ringler

Innovator

Verena Ringler is an innovator at the diplomacy-society interface, focusing on the transition to climate neutrality in Europe and internationally. She inspires and supports cross-sectoral and forward-looking leadership as Founding Director of the non-profit AGORA European Green Deal. Previously, Ringler developed large-scale projects on Europe for Germany’s Stiftung Mercator. From 2006 to 09, she helped establish the EU’s communication work in Pristina, Kosovo, as member of a EU-U.S. diplomatic team. She also worked as an editor at Foreign Policy magazine, from 2002 to 06. Ringler has a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University’s SAIS in Bologna and Washington. She also studied in Innsbruck, Vienna, and Uppsala. She serves on the advisory boards of several policy organizations and regularly appears in the media as well as at the Club of Venice. She holds registered trademarks on new strategy development formats, including the Situation Room™.