AI Grid Summit 2026
Over the course of two inspiring days October 14–15, 2026 at Forum Digitale Technologien, the summit will bring together young researchers, professors, AI experts, alumni, and ecosystem partners to exchange ideas, foster new collaborations, and explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Through interactive workshops, deep-dive scientific sessions, networking opportunities, and career-focused activities, the event creates a unique space for learning, connection, and innovation.
Program
October 13, 2026 - Networking with Women in AI
Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
17:30 – 18:00 | Registration | |
18:00 – 18:10 | Welcoming Remarks | Laure Poirson (AI Grid), Jenny Gyurakovics (Women in AI) |
18:10 – 18:30 | Networking Session I | |
18:30 – 18:45 | Impulse Keynote „How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your Career“ | Dr. Maria Börner (Women in AI DACH) |
18:45 – 20:30 | Networking Session II |
October 14, 2026 - Day 1: Connecting AI Research, Innovation and Application
Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
09:30 –10:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee | |
10:00–10:05 | Opening Remarks | Laure Poirson (AI Grid) |
10:05–10:10 | Welcome & Introduction to FDT | Ursula Ohlinger (Forum Digitale Technologien) |
10:10–10:20 | Welcome Remarks | Prof. Wolfgang Wahlster (AI Grid, DFKI) |
10:20–10:30 | Welcome Remarks | Patrick Schubert (BMFTR) |
10:30–10:35 | Introduction & Overview of the Day | |
10:35–10:40 | AI Grid: Achievements & Highlights | |
10:40–11:10 | Member Spotlights: Impact Stories
Young AI researchers share their research experiences in AI Grid | |
11:10–12:15 | Fishbowl Discussion: From Lab to Real-World Applications | Moderator: Dr. Aljoscha Burchardt (DFKI)
Speakers: Dr. Tina Klüwer (AI Nation), Dr. Susanne Perner (TU Berlin), Jakob Haardt (Eurice Group) |
12:15–13:15 | Lunch & Poster Session | |
13:15–13:30 | AI Challenge Pitches | |
13:30 – 15:50 | Applied AI Workshops – AI For Impact
(Netze BW, GIZ) | |
15:50–16:20 | Networking Break | |
16:20–18:00 | Science Deep-Dive Sessions | |
AI for Development Finance | Dr. Max Büge (etasquared, GIZ) | |
Responsible AI (AI Competence Centers) | Prof. Birte Platow, Dr. Elke Witt (AI Competence Centers) | |
Small Language Models (DFKI) | Dr. Philippe Thomas (DFKI) | |
Retrieval-Augmented Generation (HPI) | Felix Boelter, Mario Tormo Romero (HPI) | |
AI in Medicine (CAIMED) | ||
18:00 – 20:30 | Networking Evening | |
AI Grid x Software Campus Alumni Meetup | Vivek Chavan, Maryam Arabshahi |
October 15, 2026 - Day 2: Career Opportunities in AI
Time | Session | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration & Welcome Coffee | |
09:30 – 09:40 | Welcome & Introduction | Laure Poirson (AI Grid) |
09:40 – 09:55 | Inspiring Impulse: „Finding the Career Path That Fits You“ | Birte Seffert (GSO) |
09:55–10:00 | Workshop Introduction & Group Allocation | |
10:00 – 12:00 | Boost Your Career Workshops | |
Research Skills & Business Value | Maria Börner & Jenny Gyurakovics (Women in AI) | |
Application Check: How to Stand Out Among 100 Applications | Birte Seffert (GSO) | |
Career Path in Academia: How to Become a Professor | ||
From Researcher to Entrepreneur: Developing Your Entrepreneurial Skill Set | Koral Nuñez, Philipp von Törne (AI NATION) | |
12:00 – 14:00 | Career & Opportunities Marketplace & Lunch | |
Explore different stations, exchange with experts and discover opportunities for
collaboration, career development and entrepreneurship (DAAD, HPI, AI Nation,
GSO, Gretchen, etc.) | ||
14:00 – 14:10 | Summit Highlights and Outlook |
Speakers
Data Scientist & IT Owner, Bosch Global Real Estate
Research Associate, Fraunhofer IPK
Research Associate & PhD Student, Peter L. Reichertz Institut (MHH)
Scientist, OFFIS - Institute for Information Technology
Master´s Student / Independent Researcher, University of Amsterdam / University of Potsdam
AI Engineer, KI-Servicezentrum @ HPI
Head of AI and Education, TÜV Association
AI Engineer, KI-Servicezentrum @ HPI
Lead "Governance of Digital Finance", GIZ
Chapter Lead, WAI Berlin
Head of Berlin Office, EURICE GmbH
Startup Advisor, Science & Startups
Project Lead, AI Grid
Founding Director and CEA, DFKI German Research Center for AI
AI Lead, M. M. Warburg
Germany Ambassador, Women in AI
Head of Advisory and Funding Programs, GSO
Head of Scientific Strategy, BIFOLD
Principal Researcher, DFKI
Senior Researcher, DFKI
Innovation Manager, TU Berlin
Professor, TU Dresden
Policy Officer, BMFTR
Head of Section Research Programmes, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Partners
Travel Costs and Reimbursement
Community-Only Event
Please note that the AI Grid Summit is intended exclusively for the AI Grid Community. Entry to the event venue will only be granted to confirmed community members and official guests. Tavel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed to the confirmed AI Grid members, alumni and some categories of invited quests.
Before You Book
Before booking your trip, please make sure to carefully read our reimbursement guidelines and follow the procedure outlined there: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZKDg8R5xzu-738L8QTNaP5V2yTIS5qcx?usp=sharing. Please book your travel and accommodation as early as possible to avoid unnecessary costs and limited availability. Failure to follow the guidelines will result in non-reimbursement.
Transportation
Participants are responsible for organising their own transportation to and from the summit venue, including local public transportation. The following transportation options are eligible for reimbursement for AI Grid Members and Alumni: 2nd class train travel, bus travel or car travel (only with prior approval). Please always choose cost-effective travel options. Important note for Deutsche Bahn bookings: Deutsche Bahn issues invoices only during the booking process, and invoices cannot be requested or modified afterwards. Please make sure to enter the correct Talentik GmbH billing details exactly as stated in the reimbursement guidelines. Non-compliant invoices cannot be reimbursed.
Accommodation
Accommodation coverage: up to 2 hotel nights covered for AI Grid Members and Alumni. This accommodation policy does not apply to members living in Berlin, Potsdam, or nearby locations. When booking your hotel, please ensure that it is an officially registered hotel (not a private host or Airbnb), as an official invoice is required for reimbursement. Please note that hotels should be booked as early as possible. Late bookings closer to the event date may result in longer travel times to the venue.
Reimbursement
Reimbursement requires official invoices and, in some cases, screenshots comparing available travel options. All required documents must be submitted according to the reimbursement process described in the guidelines. Please note that reimbursement is only available for confirmed members and alumni of the AI Grid Community. Bookings that do not follow the reimbursement guidelines may not be eligible for reimbursement. If you have any questions regarding your bookings, please contact us at info@ai-grid.org.