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Global discussions on the societal impact of technology – irecs takes the stage in Vienna


June 2025

On 2-4 June 2025, Vienna became the epicentre of global discussion on the societal impact of technology, as it hosted the 1st Global Technology Assessment (TA) Conference   and the 6th European TA Conference (ETAC6). Organised by the Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA) at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the globalTA network, the event brought together around 170 experts from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Under the overarching theme “Technology Assessment Goes Global”  participants engaged in vibrant discussions on a wide range of pressing issues related to emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and digital ethics to climate change and global governance.


Among the many voices at the conference, the irecs project made a strong impression. With two dedicated sessions and a widely discussed poster presentation, irecs showcased its contribution to global debates on research ethics in emerging technologies.


The first session, “A Global Perspective on Research Ethics of Emerging Technologies I” was devoted entirely to irecs. Four presentations by project members explored:

  • An overview of irecs project, its mission, and global relevance.
  • Insights from training programmes aimed at preparing bioethics experts for the ethical challenges of AI.
  • Findings from interviews with experts on the functioning and challenges of research ethics committees (RECs) outside the European Union.
  • The structure and interdisciplinary focus of the irecs research ethics cluster.


This session attracted a large, engaged audience, sparking thoughtful questions and lively discussions, underlying the growing global interest in ethical frameworks for emerging technologies and the need for cross-border collaboration in this field.

The second session “A Global Perspective on Research Ethics of Emerging Technologies II,” widened the lens. Also under the irecs scope, it opened with a presentation on the knowledge needs of research ethics committees in a fast-changing tech landscape.  This was followed by a series of compelling talks from other research groups, touching on:

  • Situated ethics and the role of context in ethical decision-making
  • The use of AI to detect disinformation and the ethical implications of such technologies
  • Strategies for multi-stakeholder engagement in the development and governance of recommender systems


As with the first session, the audience was both sizeable and highly engaged, demonstrating a strong appetite for interdisciplinary dialogue and practical solutions to ethical challenges in tech development.


Beyond the formal sessions, the irecs team also made use of informal moments during the conference — coffee breaks, poster sessions, and hallway conversations — to connect with researchers and practitioners from across the globe. The irecs poster became a focal point for spontaneous conversations, offering a visual snapshot of the project’s objectives, methodologies, and tools. These interactions provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, gather feedback, and explore potential collaborations with researchers and practitioners from around the world.


The ETAC6 conference was not only a success in terms of attendance and content but also in fostering a truly global dialogue on the societal and ethical dimensions of technology. For irecs, it was a valuable platform to showcase our work, share insights, and strengthen international ties - all while advancing our mission as a key player in the international research ethics landscape to promote trust and integrity in research worldwide.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ETAC6 conference, including the full programme and list of contributors, the official conference booklet is available here: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/en/ita/veranstaltungen/etac6




Authors: Claudia Brändle and Maria Maia, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)