From 21 to 23 September 2026, the 12th International Conference of the Network for Technology Assessment (NTA) took place at the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences (OTH) in Regensburg. Research associate Sebastian Becker, who is a member of the Business Information Systems working group led by Prof. Jessica Rubart and the Mathematics and Data Sciences working group led by Prof. Markus Lange-Hegermann, presented and discussed his research on the Smart Insect Rescue System (SmInReSy) project at the conference.
The NTA Conference
The conference of the Network for Technology Assessment (NTA) was organised by the Institute for Social Research and Technology Assessment (IST), supported by the Regensburg Centre of Health Sciences and Technology (RCHST) and the Regensburg Centre for Artificial Intelligence (RCAI). The overarching theme was “Social Change through Artificial Intelligence? Combating a Sense of Disorientation”.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its societal impacts
The focus was on the question of how technology assessment can respond to the social and political disorientation arising from the ubiquitous use of AI and provide guidance and advice, for example with regard to the impacts of AI on the environment, sustainability goals and the SDGs. The conference thus provided a platform for interdisciplinary exchange between the technical, social and humanities disciplines.
AI-based insect monitoring research project
Sebastian Becker delivered the opening presentation in the session “Sensor Technology as a Governance Infrastructure: Implications of AI-supported environmental monitoring”, entitled “Wingbeat sensor technology as a governance infrastructure: How AI-based insect monitoring generates evidence, defines responsibilities and creates a need for action”. He presented his research from the SmInReSy (Smart Insect Rescue System) project to the interested specialist audience and discussed how sensor-based, AI-supported insect monitoring can be understood not only as a measurement technique but also as an infrastructure for governance processes in the context of biodiversity and sustainability.
Beneficial feedback on inIT research
In doing so, Sebastian Becker struck a chord with the interdisciplinary conference. He received very helpful feedback from the scientific community on his research, particularly regarding societal, regulatory and ethical issues surrounding AI-supported environmental sensor technology.
Sebastian Becker emphasises: “In addition to the interdisciplinary exchange with other researchers, the insight into the perspectives of technology assessment was particularly beneficial to me. An all-round successful conference.”
Find out more about the TRiNNOVATION project Smart Insect Rescue System (SmInReSy) at: www.insektenmonitoring.de