iDay 2026: Shaping the Digital World of Tomorrow

As part of iDay 2026, organized by the Departments of Computer Science, AIHI, and Geoinformatics, Cansu Demir and Anna Blumenkranz gave a joint talk on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The presentation was aimed primarily at high school graduates and prospective students and offered an introduction to HCI as a subfield of computer science.

The talk focused on why the design of digital systems plays a crucial role in their everyday use. Using familiar examples, the speakers showed that technical performance alone is not enough when applications are overly complex or difficult to understand. The presentation highlighted how user-centered approaches can help make digital technologies more practical, usable, and safe.

In addition, Cansu Demir shared insights into her research on automated driving, discussing current challenges and the potential of emerging vehicle technologies.

The speakers were pleased by the strong interest from the audience and hope to welcome some of the attendees as future students at the University of Salzburg.