AI Factory Austria AI:AT and 42 Vienna have initiated a collaboration to support the next generation of IT professionals – with the goal of integrating AI competencies into education early on and with real-world impact, and of strengthening Austria’s digital ecosystem in a sustainable way.
42 Vienna is a non-profit, innovative campus and part of the international 42 education system for Digital Excellence. The campus is built on a revolutionary concept of project-based peer-to-peer learning, in which traditional teaching staff, textbooks and frontal instruction are entirely avoided.
The free and open programme for all students aged 18 and above – regardless of background, personal circumstances or academic qualifications – focuses on logical thinking, creativity and teamwork.
The independent and solution-oriented students, and future IT specialists, benefit from a practice-oriented, flexible learning concept at a university-level standard that is comparable internationally and aligned with the requirements of the modern labour market.
Cooperation kick-off
The official kick-off took place on 4 December 2025 as part of the annual “CorporatesMeetStudents” event hosted by 42 Vienna. Under the motto Where the Future Takes Shape, the event brought together partner companies, experts and students for an evening of exchange, inspiration and strategic direction-setting for the digital future.
The focus was on progress: the Digital Excellence Campus presented key development steps, new programme content and the forward-looking cooperation between AI Factory Austria AI:AT and 42 Vienna.
The new partnership between 42 Vienna and AI Factory Austria AI:AT received considerable attention. Karl Kugler, Co-Lead of AI Factory Austria AI:AT, emphasised:
“The collaboration with 42 Vienna is an important step in building a strong AI ecosystem in Austria. With our supercomputing infrastructure, practice-oriented training programmes and a broad network spanning research, industry and the public sector, we are creating an environment in which students and companies can develop real AI applications and drive strategic innovation.”
Python and AI to be included in the first stage of training
A central highlight of the event was the announcement of a major content update for the 2026 intake: Python and AI projects will be firmly integrated into the first stage of the programme. This will give students early access to key technologies that are gaining importance across all sectors.
“Our goal is to empower talent as early as possible to tackle real-world challenges with tangible impact for business and society. AI competencies are more crucial than ever for this,” emphasised General Manager Florian Brunner. “Industry today is not only looking for technical expertise, but for people who understand complex problems, take responsibility and develop solutions collaboratively. This is exactly where our programme begins: we combine key technologies with the future skills that companies will urgently need tomorrow – critical thinking, teamwork, resilience and the ability to quickly adapt to new contexts.”
Insights into AI practice and recognition of graduates
The expert highlight of the evening was a keynote by AI Factory Austria AI:AT, outlining key challenges, opportunities and necessary framework conditions for effective AI applications. In subsequent discussion rounds, experts debated how far AI has actually progressed beyond the hype.
Students from 42 Vienna also presented concrete projects from their companies, demonstrating how artificial intelligence is already creating real value today. The event concluded with a celebratory recognition of the 58 Common Core graduates of the past year, representing a generation that is actively shaping the digital future.
Contact:
Silvia Sedlacek, BA
Head of Marketing & Communication
42 Vienna
T: +43 660 7379608
E: silvia@42vienna.com
Web: https://42vienna.at
Daniel Pepl, MAS MBA
Lead Marketing & Communications
AI Factory Austria AI:AT+43 664 620 78 05
daniel.pepl@ai-at.eu | https://www.ai-at.eu/
