2023/24
2024 is a crucial year for elections, a ‘super-election year’, so young voters need to be effectively prepared, including those here at SZU. That is why we organised a series of special events about the upcoming EU elections on 9 June 2024 and how artificial intelligence (AI) could affect the outcome. The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of participating in elections among our students of voting age (16 years) at a time when democracy is under threat and AI is changing the political playing field.
The series kicked off with a lecture by SZU alumnus Fabian Greger. As an AI expert (master’s degree in data science), he led a workshop for third-year students that provided crucial insights into both the advantages and risks associated with AI.
Following this, three of our classes took part in a simulation exercise organised by the TALE Project (Link: TALE – werde ein Changemaker! (capitalofdemocracy.eu)). Utilizing interactive methods, the event focused on the significance of the European Union (see tale_video.mp4).
Finally, the highlight of our initiative was an event especially for our class representatives and their deputies, aimed at leveraging their influence to disseminate information about participating in the EU elections. The agenda included:
– A detailed presentation by SZU alumnus Fabian Greger on the potential of AI to influence young voters‘ decisions.
– An award ceremony led by Frank Piplat, Director of the Austrian EU Liaison Office, where certificates were presented to students who have been highly engaged in our EU projects throughout their time here at our school. These students have participated in EU-Parliament sessions in Austria and abroad.
– An official handover of responsibilities from our current EU-events Senior team (Todor Lankov & Co, all from class 5BHITN) to the Junior team. Junior team member Finn Lehmann (class 3AHITN) delivered an engaging talk on cancel culture and the factors driving young people’s apathy towards politics.
– The event concluded with a panel discussion (Alena from Camillo Sitte, SZU alumnus Vincent Englitsch, Stefan Lottes 5AHWII, Philipp Recknagel 5BHITN) that aimed to reinforce democratic values and raise awareness of the importance of taking responsibility for the future.
On behalf of SZU, we would like to thank class 5BHITN for all their hard work on EU-related events and programmes over the past five years and wish Fin Lehmann all the best as the new head of the Senior team, who is tasked with upholding the school’s proud tradition of participation in this area.
(SCPA; pics by Marco Spellas from class 5AHITN)
