The study shows that there are clear distinctions as concerns how people in Germany regard risk-taking when it comes to technical innovations. It was found that young and educated people are particularly more open to it. 64 percent of high school and university graduates said they would be prepared to accept the associated risks. Only 40 percent of people aged 60 and over agree with this, whereas 60 percent of 14- to 44-year-olds share this enthusiasm for innovations.
“I believe this forsa survey refutes the perceived fundamental reluctance among people in Germany to welcome technological innovations,” says Dr. Ulrich Simon, Head of Research & Technology at the ZEISS Group. The approval ratings are high in many high-tech fields of application. “However, in the areas where people fear a loss of control, they are rather reserved,” adds Simon. ZEISS therefore sees it as one of its main duties to discuss tomorrow’s technologies with industry and science and persuade even more people of the merits of responsible progress and necessary technical innovations.
The second ZEISS Symposium, “Optics in the Quantum World,” held on 18 April once again offers a forum for scientists and company representatives from around the world to discuss which research fields are a top priority.
The topics will include quantum computers, quantum communication and quantum sensors. The focus will be on the interplay between emerging applications and the technologies behind them. Three keynote speeches from renowned researchers will be followed by in-depth workshops. The results will be summarized for the entire group and will be published after the Symposium as a white paper on the ZEISS website.