CultTech 2025: How Culture, Creativity & Tech Shape the Future

Introduction

From the first coffee-fueled networking huddle to the last standing ovation, the CultTech Summit 2025 turned Vienna into a playground for bold ideas. Over two packed days, curators, coders, creators, and cultural pioneers gathered to explore how we build a more meaningful, tech-enabled cultural future.

As a board member of Startup Carinthia, co-founder of xamoom, and advisor to Behold Venture, I had the privilege of attending through multiple lenses.

What I saw was an ecosystem brimming with potential—and very much aligned with our mission at xamoom: to connect people, stories, and places through technology that respects context, creativity, and community.

If you’ve ever wondered how museums can speak Gen Z, how AI might de-skill artists, or how a startup can make violins more accessible – this was the place to be.

1. Participation is the Future of Museum Education

One of the most inspiring sessions came from Florian Papouschek of ORPHEO, who showcased a museum guide co-created with schoolchildren. Built by students for students, it wasn’t just educational – it was empowering. This project is proof that participatory culture is no longer an idea – it's a practice.

When young people co-create, they don’t just learn – they shape the institution itself.

2. Startups That Spark Change

CultTech’s startup stage was a glimpse into the next generation of cultural infrastructure. What stood out was not the tech itself, but how it was rooted in real-world needs:

• Zula Kids (Berlin): Empowering children through creative tech and coding skills.
• Xsite (Israel): Merging smart environments with immersive storytelling.
• Polytone (Germany): Making high-end instruments accessible via subscriptions – like a “Spotify for cellos.”
• Maramora (Poland): A digital wellness sanctuary blending art and healing.

As an advisor to Behold Venture, I see strong alignment here. These aren't just clever tools – they are culturally sensitive, impact-driven innovations. They echo our belief that technology should serve expression, not dictate it.

3. Critical Voices & Bold Ideas

The summit wasn’t shy about asking hard questions.

In his keynote, philosopher Mark Coeckelbergh challenged the audience with a provocative thought:

“When AI produces, what is the role of the human?”

He warned about the risk of deskilling—a silent erosion of human craft in the face of automation. At xamoom, we believe in building systems that amplify human creativity, not automate it away.

Asma Derja, founder of the Ethical AI Alliance, echoed this urgency:

“Culture is communal. But what if AI starts shaping that community?”

She raised the alarm on letting Big Tech define our cultural narratives—especially when algorithms are trained on bias, scale, and profit.

Lastly, a panel on alternative financing models opened new doors. From impact funds for culture to hybrid business models, the future might lie in radically rethinking how we invest in cultural production.

These weren’t just theoretical debates – they were urgent strategic conversations for anyone designing digital experiences in the cultural space.

Reflections from the Intersection

Attending as part of Startup Carinthia was equally valuable. I had the pleasure of connecting with other ecosystem builders pushing for better funding frameworks, greater inclusivity, and stronger cultural-tech synergies.

The takeaways?

• Impact matters more than ever.
• No more silo thinking – collaboration is key.
• Culture + tech + business = the new normal.

This thinking aligns perfectly with how we work at xamoom: cross-sector, user-focused, and ready to adapt.

Conclusion: Culture Deserves Context

The CultTech Summit 2025 wasn’t just a conference. It was a vision board for the cultural future – sketched out by founders, thinkers, artists, and institutions all working toward a shared goal: to make culture more relevant, more accessible, and more human.

For us at xamoom, it reaffirmed what gets us up every morning: Building tech that enhances—not replaces—real-world interaction. Whether it’s a child discovering history through a playful guide or a visitor receiving content tailored to their language and context, our mission is to create meaningful, location-based connections.

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