Digital Equipment Evolution and IT Activity of TU Graz study beginners (2011‑2025): Challenges of Tablet and AI Dominance for University Digital‑Sovereignty Initiatives (Presentation at EdMedia 2026, May 26, 2026, Edinburgh))

Over the last thirteen years, more than 14 000 freshmen at the Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) have taken part in the annual “Welcome Days” surveys. This study analyses the re-sponses collected between 2011 and 2025 to chart the shifting digital profile of incoming stu-dents. The results highlight evolving patterns in hardware ownership, social‑media activity, communication preferences, digital recreation, and the utilization of online information sources. Notably, the data reveal a steady increase in the adoption of artificial‑intelligence applications and tablet devices, alongside a decline in the use of Wikipedia and open‑source software. These trends pose significant challenges for TU Graz, prompting the need for initiatives that strength-en digital sovereignty and promote on‑premise hosting of open‑source solutions.

Dr. Benedikt Brünner presents the paper at EdMedia 2026 in Edinburg, May 25, 2026