Horst Hortner directs the Future Lab at the prestigious research centre Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria. He is a media artist, researcher and expert in Human Computer Interaction design, holding many patents in this field. Since 1979, Ars Electronica seeks intersections and congruities, causes and effects between diverse fields of knowledge.

The Ars Electronica Futurelab focuses on the nexus between art, technology, culture and society. Its cutting edge research lays foundations for future scenarios in experimental forms involving the arts and sciences. The Future Lab aims at developing contributions through methods and strategies of applied science, the results of which reveal new knowledge and experiences of societal relevance in art and science. The lab's team bases its work commitment upon transdisciplinary research and work which results in a variety of different disciplines at the lab. The Ars Electronica Futurelab concentrates on expertise developed throughout the years in fields such as media art, architecture, design, interactive exhibitions, virtual reality and real-time graphics. The ideas circulating at Ars Electronica are innovative and radical. They influence everyday life-our lifestyle, our way of life, every single day.