Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to influence various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to manufacturing. The 2024 Darmstadt TU AI Summit, titled “GenAI in Corporate Use – The Time is Now,” was a remarkable event that extended beyond the technicalities of AI, unbundling, and exploring its social, legal, and even philosophical dimensions. As an AI researcher and columnist for Stankevicius, I had the privilege to attend.
The Darmstadt AI Summit held on July 10th, 2024 at the Wilhelm-Köhler-Saal in TU Darmstadt, was an interdisciplinary gathering of experts, innovators, and thought leaders. The summit provided an interdisciplinary approach to understanding AI’s impact on society and business. Prof. Dr. Peter Buxmann, founder of the Darmstadt AI Summit, is a full Professor and head of the Software & Digital Business Group at Technische Universität Darmstadt. The AI Summit, moderated by coach Annelie Eichhorn-Adler, featured two keynote talks: Tobias Rümpler from Porsche AG on “Virtual Assistants & Conversational AI -Value Creation,” and Prof. Janine Wendt, who spoke on “Everything you need to know (within 20 minutes) about the AI Act.” Both keynotes touched on the profound impact AI innovations are having on business applications. The audience questions for the speakers focused on sustainability, system security, and ethical implications of AI deployment.
Additionally, a curated selection of startups took the stage for 5-minute pitches, sparking keen interest and discussions among the audience. Gent Zambaku presented CognitX.ai and its focus on making data analytics conversational. The author sees practical use for researchers and administrators in Higher Education Institutions. Markus Miettinen introduced DÏoT’s intrusion detection technology which could address the plague of hijacked Higher Education Institutions. Sara Jourdan (Ellenrieder) and Dr. Timo Koppe introduced Genow.ai and its intelligent knowledge management system to organize and streamline, significantly enhancing accessibility and efficiency in managing institutional data. LINK2AI was presented by Jörg Kleinz who spoke about cybersecurity, governance, and compliance. Nils Bergmann and Elias Hofmann presented MySympto, a virtual medical decision support assistant for medical professionals.
Deceptively Simple on a Complex Subject: Prof. Dr. Janine Wendt on Navigating the AI Act
Prof. Dr. Janine Wendt delivered a riveting presentation on the newly adopted European Union Artificial Intelligence Act. She outlined the AI Act’s regulatory framework, highlighting its impact on AI system developers and operators. Prof. Wendt’s presentation was particularly insightful regarding the complex regulatory structure of the AI Act. She discussed how the Act, adopted by the European Parliament and Council of the EU in December 2023, is establishing a legal framework for the development, marketing, and use of AI systems. This framework directly affects all global providers and operators of AI systems wanting to do business in the EU. Her presentation slides vividly illustrated the risk categories for AI systems and the criteria for risk classification. She further detailed the obligations of AI system operators and providers, explaining how high-risk AI systems must undergo a conformity assessment process in the near future.
Networking Opportunities
The author, unused to great food at free academic events, was floored by the fabulous post-presentation food spread and the spectacular selection of Fritz Kola non-alcoholic drinks. A quick check of the company’s website showed an impressive sustainability report in line with the event’s discussion on sustainability and AI. The lively and friendly networking atmosphere made the evening even more enjoyable, providing the perfect setting to discuss the day’s insights and forge new connections. Prof. Buxman has an effective team that worked efficiently; their efforts ensured the event ran smoothly: Lisa Kammholz, Nihal W, Dr. Cleopatra Schuhmacher, Jessica Spuling, Manuel Haupt, Maximilian Geis, and Benedikt Mast. The summit provided many opportunities to network with professionals from various fields. Engaging with academics, industry leaders, and AI enthusiasts allowed for the exchange of ideas and the forging of potential collaborations. These interactions enhanced my understanding of the current state of AI in German business contexts.
This article has been produced by Dr. Jasmin (Bey) Cowin, Associate Professor and U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist (2024) As a Columnist for Stankevicius she writes on Nicomachean Ethics – Insights at the Intersection of AI and Education.
