Digital Footprints – A New Exhibition on the Impact of Technology
On April 29 , the research exhibition “Digital Footprints: Three Perspectives on How Technological Advancements Affect People, Work, and Places” opened at the university library. The exhibition brings together research from Jönköping University (JU) and Linköping University, including work from the AFAIR research profile at the School of Engineering at JU.
Data Imprints, illustration by Jian Chung Lee
We live in an age where digital technology is evolving rapidly and is often perceived as invisible—in the form of apps, cloud services, and digital platforms. At the same time, this technology relies on extensive and highly physical infrastructures that impact both society and the environment. It is these connections that are the focus of the research exhibition "Digital Footprints—Three Perspectives on How Technological Development Affects People, Work, and Places."
Three Perspectives on Digital Technology
The exhibition consists of three research projects. One section, “Where Is the Cloud?”, was developed by researchers at Linköping University and highlights the physical infrastructure behind digital services as well as its environmental consequences.
The other two sections are based on research at Jönköping University and were planned in collaboration with Nina Edh, Assistant Professor Production Systems at the School of Engineering, on AI in business, and with Annette Hill, Susanne Almgren, and Jian Chung Lee on data centers. Together, the projects highlight how AI and digital technology create new opportunities for businesses and organizations, while technological developments leave a clear imprint on the places and environments where we operate.
Foster reflection and discussion
The opening took place on April 29 in conjunction with the Media Realities International Symposium 2026 conference, and runs through June 5.
The exhibition is aimed at staff, students, and the general public—and it aims to foster reflection and conversation about the consequences of digitalization—beyond the screen.
