Life

——The world’s first robot exoskeleton with TÜV SÜD certification could pave the way to the future of technical occupational safety—also with support from artificial intelligence.

——Companies and government agencies around the world are increasingly falling victim to cyberattacks—launched by thieves, blackmailers and spies. Those affected are often helpless. Yet usually simple measures are all that are needed to protect them.

——On January 1, 2023, the Supply Chain Act is coming into force in Germany, and many smaller companies aren’t ready for it. But it’s high time, not least because similar regulations are in the pipeline at the European level.

——Sociologist Brian Uzzi explains why our casual acquaintances lead to success at work and why women benefit less from this than men.

——Transporting goods throughout Europe by rail is fast, dependable and environmentally friendly. Yet different standards and gaps in the network still hamper cross-border rail traffic. This is about to change.

——He is the lead singer of the Austrian band Wanda and has become a star well beyond his home country: Michael Marco Fitzthum, better known by his alias Marco Wanda, talks about his own very personal secret for success, how fame has changed him forever—and what role change has played in all of this.

——Intelligent machines are already taking over many of our daily tasks. In the future, they may become increasingly similar to us. How much like us will robots eventually become?

——Is diversity today a value in and of itself? Yes, says TÜV SÜD Chairman of the Board Axel Stepken. We spoke about the advantages of diverse teams, the promotion of diversity and values that are non-negotiable, diversity notwithstanding.

——Cultural scientist Thomas Bauer sets about exposing what he calls pseudo-diversity.

——Almost every day the neurosurgeon Ralf Buhl slices through the human brain and exposes nerves along the spine.

——Mr. de Masi, what do you think about … Security?

——An aerial cableway across the city? The technology offers enormous possibilities for climate protection, mobility and society as a whole. A look at Bonn, where German politicians want to give it a try—and Mexico City, where people have already fallen in love with the aerial cableway.

——Surgical robots, self-cleaning surfaces, mobile diagnosis labs: digital assistants could transform the hospital of the future into a highly networked place of healing. A preview.

——Anthropologist Robin Dunbar describes the factors involved in the calculation.

——What does acting responsibly mean for a company? One aspect is dependability, says Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV SÜD AG Axel Stepken.

——Men still dominate many executive floors. We take a look at when there could be as many female bosses as male bosses.

——What are economic forecasts based on, and how could artificial intelligence contribute to a more reliable forecast of the future?

——Most of the world would love to be transparent—at least, that’s what people demand. Sascha Friesike explains why this often goes awry and why it’s much more a question of the right degree of transparency.

——From air conditioners to artificial intelligence—there’s a standard for almost everything. We look at where they’re particularly useful and how they shape the global economy.

——What would be the consequences of a power blackout in the electrified parts of the world?

——Almost everyone knows the DIN A4 standard. But nowadays, standards determine not only paper sizes but most areas of our lives. But how are the rules actually created without which (almost) nothing works in international business life?