STARTS Ec(h)o: fostering ECOlogically conscious and Human compatible digital technology

In the digital age and the decades of societal and environmental emergency states that we live in, science, technology, and industry have hit the innovation ceiling.

New approaches, alternative perspectives, and creative solutions to inspire progress and accelerate development are needed: Artistic thinking can provide the boost we need to tackle the great challenges of our times.

Science, Technology and arts (S+T+ARTS for short) limn a nexus at which insightful observers have identified extraordinarily high potential for innovation.

And innovation is precisely whats called for if were to master the social, ecological and economic challenges that Europe is facing.

STARTS Ec(h)o's main objective is building towards the triple transformation and developing artist-led approaches through creative experimentation and recognising the most successful ones: The S+T+ARTS Prize will highlight and promote 90 outstanding technology-driven artistic projects and the achievements of the teams behind them towards the green transition and social sustainability.Through S+T+ARTS residencies, artists will be enabled to develop 10 new pilots on human-centered and sustainable technologies in the fields of AI, high-performance computing, simulation & visualisation, digital twins, medical tech or circular economy.An annual AIxMusic program at Snar will create an international platform for pushing limits of digital technology and exploring the compatibility of digital with human values and needs through artistic thinking.Ars Electronica, Sonar, Salzburg Festival, Inova+, T6, French Tech Grand Provence, Technical University Dresden and Media Solution Center Baden Wrttemberg will stimulate arts-driven innovation that is human compatible and ecological consciousness and showcase outstanding examples from the field of S+T+ARTS in 12 events at the Ars Electronica Festival, Sonar and the Salzburg Festival and hence new pathways to European innovation.