Political Greetings
Michael Kleiner
Ministerial Director at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs
Photo ©MWAT / Leif PIechowski
Mathieu Vermel
Directeur Général Adjoint Attractivité Région Grand Est
Photo ©Région Grand Est
Lucilla Sioli is the Director of the "EU AI Office" within Directorate-General CONNECT at the European Commission. She is responsible for the coordination of the European AI strategy, including the implementation of the AI Act and international collaboration in trustworthy AI and AI for good. Lucilla holds a PhD in economics from the University of Southampton (UK) and one from the Catholic University of Milan (Italy) and has been a civil servant with the European Commission since 1997.
The European AI Office supports the development and use of trustworthy AI, while protecting against AI risks. The EU AI Office is also responsible for R&D&I activities in AI and for the coordination of the AI Continent Action Plan and the Apply AI Strategy.
Alexandra Ketterer has been writing for the Tagesspiegel Background Digitalization & AI and Cybersecurity since September 2024. Previously she worked as a data journalism trainee at Süddeutsche Zeitung. She grew up in Freiburg, studied business administration, cultural studies and journalism in Berlin, Hildesheim and Leipzig.
Tagesspiegel Background is the B2B must-read from Berlin. The capital's largest political editorial team provides up-to-date analyses for decision-makers and experts from politics, business, science, ministries, associations and NGOs.
Ronald Schmidt is an attorney since 1999. Auditor and project manager at TÜV Saarland certifications since 2017. He is developing artificial intelligence compliance auditing guidelines in accordance with the AI Act and international standards and is data protection officer and advising companies on issues including data protection and AI. He has published legal literature and is a lecturer.
TÜV Saarland Solutions GmbH is part of the TÜV Saarland Group and specializes in IT and data protection certifications in the non-accredited sector. Audit-based independent assessments are carried out in accordance with international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, DIN EN 50600, BSI IT Baseline and relevant laws such as GDPR and TDDDG. Locations in Saarbrücken, Sulzbach/Saar, Bonn and Berlin.
After studying Information Engineering and Management at KIT, Maria Rill joined the research Team at FZI in 2016 as a research associate. Maria has been head of legal research since 2023. Furthermore, she is deputy data protection officer at the FZI. Before joining the FZI, she worked at SAP SE for several years as research associate
The FZI Research Center for Information Technology is an independent foundation conducting applied computer science research for over 35 years. It develops innovations for society, supports top researchers, and serves as a hub for research, training, and knowledge transfer for partners in industry, science, and the public sector.
For more than fifteen years, Clemens Hübner has been working at the interface between software and security. After roles as a software developer and in penetration testing, he joined inovex in 2018 as a software security engineer. Today, he supports development projects at the conception and implementation level, trains colleagues, and advises on DevSecOps.
inovex is an IT project center driven by innovation and quality, focusing its services on ‘Digital Transformation’. Around 500 IT experts provide companies with comprehensive support in the digitalisation and agilisation of their core business and in the implementation of new digital use cases.
Armin Baehr is Team Lead Business Development at EDI GmbH. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and Data Science, his team develops data-driven solutions to real-world challenges. His work focuses on algorithmic innovation that improves operational fairness and efficiency across organizations.
EDI GmbH develops AI-powered solutions for industry and business, enabling smarter decisions, process automation, and sustainable innovation.
Jan Foelsing is an expert in New Learning and AI, an author, speaker, tool enthusiast, and founder of the New Learning Lab. From 2013 to 2021, he researched modern learning formats and digital tools for collaborative learning in two BMBF-projects. Previously, he worked as an IT consultant and has been active as a freelance advisor since 2014.
His goal: to make learning in organizations more effective—for both the business and the learners.
The New Learning Lab is a pioneer in effective learning and AI adoption. The community of now over 150 people meets in weekly sessions to work on the transformation of learning. eEight.io makes the experiential knowledge of employees transparent and usable for others, e.g. performance support systems.
Dr. Anatoly Sherman is the Director of Business Innovation for the Autonomous Perception Portfolio at SICK. Previously, he successfully established SICK’s 3D camera business and led the corresponding business unit. His current focus is on identifying and driving innovative business opportunities to advance autonomy and digitalization across industrial sectors. He actively fosters collaboration with leading-edge partners and advises innovative companies to bring pioneering solutions to market.
As a technology and market leader, SICK provides sensor intelligence and application solutions that create the perfect basis for controlling processes securely and efficiently, protecting individuals from accidents, and preventing damage to the environment
Xenia Scholl is Co-Founder and COO of Aitonomi AG. Xenia Scholl focuses on transport automation technology developments for vehicles of different sizes and shapes: from large industrial vehicles to small retail robots. Xenia Scholl successfully completed many national and international innovative projects for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, LG Electronics, and Kansai Electric. She cooperates with international partners such as NEOM and TK Elevator.
Aitonomi develops Artificial Intelligence for outdoor automation and related innovations. Pillars of the company’s proprietary developments include its AI self-driving platform, quantum-enhanced sensor intelligence and smart road technology.
Torsten Scholl is an internationally experienced, Wall Street Journal-recognized serial Technology Entrepreneur and inventor. He created, developed, and successfully exited multiple technology companies. At Aitonomi he is responsible for technology innovation and corporate strategy, leading the company towards global outdoor automation, sensing and transportation electrification leadership
Aitonomi develops Artificial Intelligence for outdoor automation and related innovations. Pillars of the company’s proprietary developments include its AI self-driving platform, quantum-enhanced sensor intelligence and smart road technology.
From 2003 to 2010, Björn Beck was an IT entrepreneur. After completing his legal clerkship, he joined the judiciary of the state of Baden-Württemberg in 2014, initially working as a judge and prosecutor. In 2017, he moved to the Ministry of Justice of Baden-Württemberg, where he initiated the nationwide “AI” working group in 2018. In November 2023, he was appointed head of the Innovation Lab of the Baden-Württemberg state government.
The Innovation Lab of the Baden-Württemberg state government (InnoLab_bw) is an interdisciplinary platform that drives progress on key future topics. It supports ministries in developing ideas, testing prototypes, and implementing innovative projects across departments.
Dr. Davis Eisape is a senior manager at Bundesdruckerei GmbH, specializing in digital government and strategic innovation. With 15+ years of experience across tech, startups, and public sector, he is a thought leader in platform models and AI-driven transformation.
Bundesdruckerei GmbH develops secure digital solutions in identity, AI, and e-government—enabling a resilient, modern society.