How GITEX Brought a Fresh Tech Breeze to Europe in May
Like a sandstorm in the hot dunes of the Gulf, GITEX brought a whirlwind of bold innovations, cutting-edge technologies, and breathtaking ideas to Berlin, bringing together thousands of renowned speakers, companies, and all those whose hearts beat to the rhythm of IT. For three full days, the halls were filled with ideas, innovations, and cross-border exchange.
AI Grid couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be part of the world’s most renowned IT and tech fair. In collaboration with our sister project, Software Campus— both united under the umbrella of Talentik GmbH — 11 of our young AI talents had the chance to present their projects and ideas in the start-up hall. Each booth told a story—through prototypes, presentations, and conversations. It wasn’t just about technology. It was about the bigger picture: What kind of future do we want to create? And how do we ensure that it’s fair, efficient, and, above all, human?
Day 1: Where Ideas Take Root
The first day began with a palpable sense of curiosity in the air. Visitors strolled through the start-up area, drawn to the bold visions and practical solutions showcased at the AI Grid booth.
Samim and Tamim Multaheb from Helmut Schmidt University presented „machinemade“, a platform that automatically translates business ideas into technical requirements. The charm of the two brothers acted like a magnet on trade fair attendees, quickly turning their booth into a meeting point for a wide range of people eager to explore a solution that bridges the gap between vision and execution—helping teams move forward more quickly, more clearly, and together. There was not a single moment when Samim and Tamim was not talking or showing the fruits of their joint work.
Next booth door, Nico Heider from the University of Leipzig introduced „E2E Agricultural Autonomy“ : intelligent, self-driving machines for precision agriculture. Using state-of-the-art navigation and safety protocols, Nico merges technology with farming to achieve impressive levels of automation. His concept of autonomy could help offset labor shortages in the agricultural sector, reduce costs, and potentially make regional production more affordable for local markets. Nico also shared insights into legal regulations surrounding such machines and the regulatory pathways that could make these solutions viable in real-world settings.
Zahra Ebrahimi from Ruhr University Bochum brought a quieter, yet equally powerful message: GREEN-DNN is an energy-efficient approach to running AI models at the edge of 5G/6G networks. Her technical pitch was both brilliant and thoughtful. The next generation of AI must not only be smarter but also greener. That’s exactly what GREEN-DNN stands for: AI that operates closer to people while conserving resources. A clear reminder: sustainability starts in the code.
Day 2: Intelligence with Impact
The second day brought new depth and meaningful conversations about how AI is actively transforming our society.
Sylwia Olbrych and Alexander Nasuta from RWTH Aachen created a warm and welcoming atmosphere as they presented "Collaborative AI for Sustainable Manufacturing“ vor. Dabei handelt es sich um ein KI-System, das Industrien dabei unterstützt, Kunststoffkreisläufe zu schließen und neu zu überdenken, wie Dinge produziert werden. Ihre Botschaft war klar: Echte Innovation ist nicht nur schnell, sondern auch klug, verantwortungsvoll und nachhaltig. Kein Hype. Einfach ernsthafte Technologie mit Zweck. Sylwias und Alexanders positive Ausstrahlung und ihre synergiegetriebene Zusammenarbeit inspirierten die BesucherInnen, über aktuelle Nachhaltigkeitsthemen nachzudenken.
Next door, Lorenz Gunreben from the University of Leipzig introduced „DocLett“ an AI tool for creating medical reports—locally, securely, and in full compliance with GDPR. Developed closely with physicians, his approach focused on the idea that doctors should spend more time with patients, not be buried under paperwork and manual documentation. It’s a quiet revolution in healthcare: less bureaucracy, more patient care. The solution brings together efficiency and empathy, designed for local implementation while maintaining privacy in the deeply sensitive context of human health. And then there was
There presented also Vivek Chavan from TU Berlin / Fraunhofer IPK, who challenged the conventional narrative of automation. With his project "IndEgo“ he is developing AI that learns from human actions to assist rather than replace them. His assistive system operates in real-time, is adaptive, and privacy-conscious. His vision? A future where humans are not left behind by machines, but lead the way. Vivek prompted all of us to think differently about how modern computer vision solutions can support—not substitute—what we do.
Day 3: A Space for Big Questions
On Friday, the AI Grid booth became more than just an exhibition—it turned into a space for big, human questions.
Dilem Kaya from Hasso-Plattner-Institut presented “SolAegis“ a system that uses AI to detect heat-related and cardiovascular risks before they become threats. Her project combines complex data with a simple purpose: protecting people. In a warming world, this was more than a technical demo—it was a quiet yet powerful call to action for a healthcare system that listens and acts sooner. Dilem effectively demonstrated how climate-related health issues in Europe can be addressed and prevented. Beyond the technical spotlight, she also impressed with her networking skills on the exhibition floor, successfully engaging and inviting key stakeholders to support her work. Her talent clearly extends well beyond technology.
Deborah Dormah Kanubala from Saarland University brought a deeply personal and urgent issue into focus: How can AI make fair decisions when people don’t fit into binary categories? Her project, “Causal Framework for Non-binary Treatment Discrimination“ was more than just research—it created a space for reflection and for challenging assumptions. It placed fairness at the core of AI design. Deborah was a true asset to the event—she drew in visitors, gave interviews, and inspired fellow exhibitors around her.
Jonas Weidner from TU Munich also presented a highly practical and potentially life-saving innovation: AI-powered personalized radiotherapy for cancer patients. His system generates precise, individualized treatment plans—especially critical in sensitive cases such as brain tumors. What he shared wasn’t just innovative—it held the potential to save lives. It offered a glimpse of how precision and compassion can be brought together through AI. Jonas gave all interested attendees insight into how AI can improve treatment routines and contribute to better health outcomes.
Beyond the Booth: Ideas, People, Possibilities
The AI Grid area was more than just a booth. It became a magnet — a meeting point for ideas, people, and opportunities. For many participants, it was their first major international stage, where they excelled with live demos, in-depth technical discussions, and initial connections with investors and partners from around the world. For some, it was their first experience presenting their work at such a high level outside the academic world — directly in front of companies and key stakeholders, pitching their projects and discovering the exciting world of real-world business.
At this fair, curiosity met expertise, and research met entrepreneurial energy. Topics such as edge computing, algorithmic fairness, agricultural technology, and data sovereignty were not just discussed — they were brought to life. One thing became clear: technology is not an end in itself. It is a tool. A responsibility. And an open invitation to shape a better world.
In this spirit, we were especially pleased to offer our members not only the opportunity to present themselves, their ideas, and their projects, but also to introduce AI Grid to a wider audience.
