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- Editorial
- Presidential Message: AI – The Unknown Entity
- April Event Review
- Already Registered? Events in May 2025
- Podcast with the ABS: Darling, It's Tea Time!
- The Last Page
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EDITORIAL
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Dear Members and Friends of the ABS,
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What did the late Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Francis had in common? Both led lives filled with faith, and both clearly had something truly magical about them as they approached the end of their earthly lives: they fulfilled their duties, the tasks to which they felt deeply committed, until literally the last hour of their lives.
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The late Queen knew that the government had failed and that a new Prime Minister had to be appointed. Liz Truss travelled to Balmoral to see her, the Queen received her and tasked her with forming a government – she had fulfilled her duty, which was so important to her. A few hours later, she passed away.
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Pope Francis obviously felt compelled not to spend Easter – the festival when Christians celebrate the victory of life over death – in hospital, but at the centre of the Roman Catholic Church – in the Vatican. He filled thousands of believers with joy when he also appeared in public at Easter. One of the most important tasks of the Pope at Easter is to give his blessing to the whole world, known as ‘Urbi et orbi’. Pope Francis gave this blessing with his last ounce of strength – he too had fulfilled his duty, which was so important not only to him, but also for 1.4 billion Catholics arround the world. A few hours later, he passed away.
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What do these observations teach us? Like these extraordinary personalities, it is also up to us to conserve our energy and to be clear about what is really important to us – right up to the last hour. Our life is finite – too precious to waste on trivialities. Let us shape it actively and fill it with things that are essential to us and to the people we care about. With this in mind, I hope you had a wonderful Easter season with beloved persons around you!
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ABS Secretary General & ABS News Editor-in-Chief
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PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
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The new technological development of AI is already having a major influence on our daily lives and will, in future – whether we like it or not – occupy us all even more. Every innovation is researched and developed to market maturity for legitimate reasons. This often makes life easier, but, as is almost always the case, there is also another side of the coin, which can trigger new risks and uncertainty. In order to gain an overview of the opportunities and risks of AI in the future, we have already scheduled a corresponding lecture at ABS for October.
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As part of my personal preparation, I am currently reading suitable literature on the topic, and I have particularly taken to the work by Yuval Noah Harari, Nexus – A History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to Artificial Intelligence. He quotes the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham – a contemporary of Kant, Napoleon and Clausewitz – with the statement regarding the only rational ultimate goal: to minimise suffering in the world and to maximise happiness. This also applies to the development and configuration of new computer networks. Had Facebook, for example, told its algorithms: “Maximise happiness” instead of “Maximise user activity”, only good might have come of it. The focus on the effects on human suffering and happiness as a guiding principle is apparently very popular in Silicon Valley. Everyone is free to form their own view on this – I, for my part, cannot entirely escape a certain scepticism.
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Prof KR Dr Kurt Tiroch
ABS President
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After the thought-provoking events in March, April offered two very different events: in times of multiple crises, it is worth taking a look at charity, volunteering, art and culture. If you were unable to attend these events, it is worth reliving them here – and we promise you will be inspired! .
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- The Order of Malta in Austria and their big volunteer relief corps MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria
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- An outstanding evening with Commander Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld. CLICK HERE for the event report and many photos.
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- Cornelius Obonya - The man with all the qualities
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- All you need to know about opera and theatre plays and how a production is made to an extraordinary experience for the auditorium. CLICK HERE for the event report and many photos.
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What the Austro-British Society Holds For You
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In the ABS News last edition, we recommended to register faster to avoid your name on the waiting list. Have you successfully followed our recommendation? We hope to see you at one of these occassions:
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From the river to the sea: What does HAMAS want?
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- Em. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Gudrun KRÄMER
- May 5, 2025 - 7pm
- Diplomatic Academy
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Russia after 25 years of Putin: A look back and a look ahead
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- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang MUELLER
- May 14, 2025 - 7pm
- Diplomatic Academy
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Invitation to follow soon:
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- A visit to the luxury car brand BENTLEY in Vienna
- May 22, 2025 - 6pm
- Ketzergasse 120, 1230 Wien
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- Follow this travel to CORNWALL on our social media channels
- May 30, to June 2, 2025
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REMINDER: Few seats still available!
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"DARLING, IT'S TEA TIME"
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‘Sunday snack’ with ABS Secretary General Jochen Ressel
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His Majesty King Charles III and Queen Camilla were among the last official guests to receive a private audience with the Holy Father, who passed away shortly afterwards on Easter Monday.
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In the run-up to this visit, which marked the 20th wedding anniversary of the Royal couple, our Secretary General Jochen Ressel was interviewed by the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Vienna, Der SONNTAG, on various topics: the differences between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, the Royal couple's wedding, the King's Coronation, the significance of English church music and, last but not least, the Austro-British Society.
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The Conclave begins – A guide for you
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Account name: Österreichisch-Britische Gesellschaft | Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG | IBAN: AT422011184479592100 | BIC: GIBAATWWXXX
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Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Jochen Ressel
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