CASTL CEO Marnus Flatz private
Now it’s getting personal. Journalist Martin Begle asks CASTL CEO and founder Marnus Flatz for personal insights into his life, which is characterized by adventures in Africa, musical highlights and innovative AI projects.
For the newspaper with the highest circulation in his home state of Vorarlberg, Marnus gives an insight into formative moments, the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) and his visions for the future.
A childhood on the Fluh – with discipline and a thirst for adventure
Growing up as the son of a primary school principal in the idyllic Bregenzer Fluh, Flatz experienced a happy but strict childhood. His urge to overcome boundaries became apparent early on: He dropped out of grammar school to explore the world. His adventures took him to Africa, where he crossed the Okavango Delta on foot and attempted to travel the coast of Tanzania in a dugout canoe – a venture that failed spectacularly, but only fueled his hunger for something new.
From rock musician to AI pioneer
Flatz enjoyed a successful career as a musician under the pseudonym “Aaron Roterfeld”. His band played at international festivals such as M’era Luna and Novarock and was nominated for the Amadeus Award. But music was not his only purpose in life. He recognized the potential of digitalization early on and developed an algorithm for automating radio programmes in 2001 – a milestone that was ahead of its time.
The MOM “Magic of Mankind” project: the world’s leading research project on polymorphic AI
With the CASTL Cyber Applied Science and Tech Labs, Flatz is now pursuing ambitious goals in the field of AI. His project MOM, a multi-purpose AI, is designed to enable companies to use AI systems without disclosing sensitive data to external providers. “Most companies don’t want to make external AI systems more intelligent,” he explains. Polymorphic AI is self-learning and has more future potential than conventional Transformer technology when it comes to AGI.
Ethics and the future of AI
Flatz is convinced that AI will not develop consciousness – an idea that is often associated with apocalyptic scenarios. Nevertheless, he calls for ethical discussions and political measures. His proposal: taxing the productivity increased by AI in order to finance an unconditional basic income. He also calls for more IT lessons in schools to prepare the next generation for the digital future.
“You’ll see, it’s going to be great!” – Confidence for the next generation
As a new father, Flatz reflects on the future: “When I rock my son in my arms, I always say: You’ll see, it’s going to be great!” For him, this symbolizes the beginning of a new era in which AI not only provides tools, but also raises humanity to a new level.