The effects and boundaries of technological advancement - 14th INNOMEET
The social impacts and boundaries of technological development were explored and challenged at the 14th INNOMEET, an event hosted by Óbuda University's innovation platform. The event was organized by Initium Venture Labs Zrt., the technology transfer company of Óbuda University.
Zoltán Kátay, the company's Investment Director, presented NEXUS, the joint corporate innovation program of Óbuda University (ÓE) and Initium. The program helps startups survive the so-called 'Valley of Death'—the vicious cycle caused by a lack of capital, expertise, and market access. Companies connect by identifying problem maps, trends, and future challenges; subsequently, teams are formed through open calls and then capitalized via Proof of Concept and other grants. Attila Kristóf, Production Director of Umbrella TV—one of the first companies to participate in the NEXUS program—spoke about the impact of AI on filmmaking. Dr. habil. István Szabó, Head of the Talent Management Office at Óbuda University, outlined the role of futures studies in the corporate world, while Tibor Remete, founder of the Social Alliance (Társadalmi Szövetség), emphasized the significance of collective future-shaping. The Alliance was established to catalyze social innovation by linking knowledge networks and collaborative platforms.
The evening concluded with an exciting panel discussion featuring Julianna Nagy (ESG Director at KPMG), Béla Szabó (Brand and Communications Director at Magyar Telekom), Tamás Hoffer (Head of Digitalization at AUDI Hungary), and Dr. István Szabó, who debated the boundaries and boundlessness of progress and the future. Technology is fundamentally a society-shaping factor that raises numerous questions in every field, but who can—or should—define the limits? While companies use their 'tentacles' to feel out markets and scout for opportunities, new technologies, and talent, higher education, students, and researchers must also ask questions and test their environment. The panel participants concluded that the great explorers and researchers who drive the world forward have always been idealists who think in terms of teams and ecosystems. Building trust, curiosity, and attractiveness is also indispensable for fostering a networked mindset.
The evening concluded with an exciting panel discussion featuring Julianna Nagy (ESG Director at KPMG), Béla Szabó (Brand and Communications Director at Magyar Telekom), Tamás Hoffer (Head of Digitalization at AUDI Hungary), and Dr. István Szabó, who debated the boundaries and boundlessness of progress and the future. Technology is fundamentally a society-shaping factor that raises numerous questions in every field, but who can—or should—define the limits? While companies use their 'tentacles' to feel out markets and scout for opportunities, new technologies, and talent, higher education, students, and researchers must also ask questions and test their environment. The panel participants concluded that the great explorers and researchers who drive the world forward have always been idealists who think in terms of teams and ecosystems. Building trust, curiosity, and attractiveness is also indispensable for fostering a networked mindset.
