Building Intelligence Platforms that Creates Real Value
The IDC AI and Data Summit is the premier event for senior technology and business executives driving artificial intelligence and data strategies across the region. Designed for CDOs, Heads of Data, and AI and innovation leaders, this full-day event delivers strategic insights and practical frameworks aligned with Germany’s priorities: data sovereignty, industrial AI adoption, ethical governance, and compliance-by-design.Germany stands at the forefront of Europe’s digital transformation, combining world-class industrial expertise with a strong commitment to privacy, transparency, and trust. Yet as organizations accelerate AI investment, they face growing challenges: ensuring alignment with the EU AI Act, modernizing legacy data infrastructures, and overcoming data fragmentation across federal and sectoral boundaries.
Agenda
IDC research shows that 29% of European enterprises cite data quality and availability as the biggest barrier to realizing AI’s value, while over 90% share data externally, but only 30% do so strategically. In Germany, these gaps underscore the urgency of establishing trusted data spaces, federated data ecosystems, and responsible AI governance.rnrnThrough keynotes, executive panels, and peer discussions, participants will gain the insights and tools needed to transform AI and data into the foundation of Germany’s next wave of innovation, resilience, and competitive advantage.
2026 Prediction
By 2027, organizations that adopt tools and processes for AI evaluation and monitoring will have the confidence to deploy AI applications twice as fast as those that don’t.
Main Themes
Data Value Reinvention in the Age of AI
Organizations are shifting from thinking about “using AI” to “leveraging data for AI value,” integrating data maturity practices like cataloging, lineage, and observability to fuel model performance and business impact.
Scaling AI: From Pilot to Enterprise Deployment
Moving beyond experimentation, leaders create robust MLOps pipelines, governance frameworks, and change strategies to embed AI into core operations at scale with sustainability and reliability.
Trust, Transparency and Responsible AI
Embedding fairness, bias mitigation, auditability, and explainability across the AI lifecycle helps build user confidence, regulatory alignment, and long-term trust in intelligent systems.
Data Sovereignty, Governance and Interoperability
Balancing data residency, regulatory constraints, and cross-border flow requires hybrid cloud strategies, shared governance models, and interoperable architectures that meet business needs.
Generative and Agentic AI: The Next Frontie
As generative and agentic models go beyond assistance, leaders focus on guardrails, cost/risk trade-offs, hybrid model design, and alignment with existing AI systems.
People, Culture and AI Readiness
Success requires preparing teams with AI literacy, reskilling, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership that navigates resistance and embeds data-driven habits into daily workflows.
2026 Prediction
By 2028, there will be at least 100 companies built predominantly using AI, with fewer than a dozen people and generating $1+ billion.
Our Speakers
Neil Ward-Dutton
Vice President, AI and DX European Practices
IDC
Read Bio
Giovanni Cervellati
Research Manager, Data & AI
IDC Europe
Read Bio
Dr. Michael Schuhmacher
Head of Artificial Intelligence
Südzucker Group
Read Bio
Daniel Steinlandt
Strategischer Leiter IT
Polizei Hamburg
Read Bio
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra
Global Head of AI Product
Metro.digital
Read Bio
Carlos Diaz
Head of Data Analytics & AI
Lufthansa Group Business Service
Read Bio
Leon Lukas
Leiter KI Competence Center
Landeshauptstadt München
Read Bio
Mike Abé
Head of Data Strategy and AI
Dussmann Group
Read Bio
Anja Lange
Moderator
Read Bio
Neil Ward-Dutton
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 9:10 am | Location:
IDC Opening Keynote
Giovanni Cervellati
Giovanni Cervellati is a research manager in IDC Europe’s software group, supporting the European Intelligent Analytics and Data Strategies practice across both research and consulting projects. His core research coverage includes user practices and the cultural aspects of analytics software usage, as well as demand and supply trends in advanced analytics and business intelligence.
A native Italian, he is based in IDC’s Frankfurt office. He has a technical background and worked as an SPSS (IBM) employee as a data mining consultant, performing analysis and training for the Italian market using SPSS products and software. He then became a data scientist working as an independent consultant for some of the biggest corporates in Italy, with a strong focus on predictive analytics and machine learning.
He studied in Bologna, Italy, and has a bachelor’s degree in statistics.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 4:50 pm | Location:
IDC Closing Keynote
Dr. Michael Schuhmacher
Dr Michael Schuhmacher is Head of Artificial Intelligence at the Südzucker Group (Digitalisation and IT), where he drives forward the strategic development and programme management of AI throughout the company.
His work focuses on identifying high-impact use cases based on fundamental AI enablement and building a scalable AI programme through structured project management, internal competence building and targeted innovation insourcing. Before joining Südzucker, he held various positions in the Data & AI division at BASF, where he developed data-driven products and built cross-functional teams. He holds a PhD in AI-driven search technologies and a degree in industrial engineering.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 9:30 am | Location:
End User Keynote: From Zero to Impact? Reflections on Structuring AI Programs for Value
The presentation will outline the Südzucker Group’s AI transformation programme, launched in 2025, and demonstrate how a shared yet adaptable AI technology strategy can be developed. The focus is on the goal of broadly empowering employees in their use of AI while simultaneously increasing efficiency in production, operations and business processes in a targeted manner – using different technologies (not just GenAI) and deployment models in a rapidly evolving technological world.
Daniel Steinlandt
Daniel Steinlandt studied business informatics at the Nordakademie Elmshorn. After working for SAP and q.beyond, among others, he has been responsible for modernising the IT landscape of the Hamburg police force as Strategic IT Manager since October 2021. Under his leadership, ITSM/ITIL processes were introduced, development capacities were moved to the cloud, and AI projects for video and risk analysis were successfully implemented. He was a finalist for “CIO of the Year 2024” (Public Sector) and is considered a driver of cultural, process and technological change in the police force.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 10:05 am | Location:
End User Keynote: Artificial intelligence caught between innovation, data and trust
Artificial intelligence and modern data analysis open up new possibilities for police and security authorities. The Hamburg Police Department demonstrates how technological innovation can be used responsibly – in accordance with data protection, regulatory requirements and the demand for digital sovereignty. A concrete practical example illustrates how modern technologies strengthen the police’s ability to act in digital spaces while also ensuring trust.
Dr. Pankaj Kumar Mishra
I am currently working as Head of Data Science at DISH Digital Solutions (A Metro Company), Duesseldorf, Germany. I have a PhD in Physics from Hamburg University, Germany. I bring several years of experience working with Schaeffler and Fujikura Technology in different data science and AI roles. In my journey from Data Scientist to leadership, I focused mainly on creating business impact by leveraging the potential of Data Science and AI.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 12:15 pm | Location:
End User Keynote: Next-Gen AI Agents: Transforming the way we think, work and communicate
Artificial Intelligence agents are rapidly evolving from theoretical concepts into practical tools that drive innovation across industries. AI Agents are increasing work efficiency and productivity across the business units of a company. However, upskilling with AI Education is extremely important to achieve the true potential of AI Agents and achieve higher adaption rate. In this session, I will share firsthand experiences and insights on developing AI agent Hub within Dish to empower business units, automate workflows, and unlock new value for customers. I will share insights from Sales to customer support how business stream focussed AI Agents made Dish to be not just efficient but also cost-effective. We focussed on RoI driven AI transformation from day one, which is critical to gain the management trust. I will also address best practices for scaling AI agent solutions, challenges faced during implementation, and future trends that may shape the next generation of intelligent enterprise tools. Whether you are a developer, business leader, technologist or even a C-level management, you will come away with actionable knowledge and inspiration to leverage AI agents for transformative business outcomes
Carlos Diaz
Carlos Diaz is an experienced aviation expert with over 15 years of international experience in maintenance and engineering, airline operations and digital strategies. He has extensive expertise in optimising airline processes and applying modern data analytics and AI to improve various process landscapes and operational efficiency.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 12:35 pm | Location:
End User Keynote: Why AI projects get stuck in companies: What really prevents successful implementation
Most AI projects fail not because of the technology, but because the company is not ready for implementation. Pilot projects cannot be rolled out if departments do not take responsibility, operational structures are lacking, data is scattered and AI results are not incorporated into real work processes. Based on the experience of Lufthansa Group Business Services, this presentation shows how companies can move from individual experiments to beneficial AI capabilities – through targeted work on organisation, architecture and responsibilities.
The most important takeaways from the presentation are:
- AI projects usually fail not because of the technology, but because of a lack of preparation within the company.
- Common problems: departments do not take responsibility, operational structures are lacking, data is scattered, no integration into work processes.
- The presentation shows the path from pilot projects to scalable AI capabilities.
- Focus on organisation, system architecture and clear responsibilities.
Leon Lukas
Leon Lukas has been team leader of the AI Competence Centre of the City of Munich for two years and has contributed significantly to the development and implementation of AI solutions within the city administration. Initially, he trained models and built systems himself, but now he is responsible for architecture and projects at it@m, the city’s IT service provider.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 2:15 pm | Location:
End User Keynote: AI for smart citizen services and document processing
The presentation provides a brief overview of AI applications within Munich’s city administration, such as the automated processing of citizen enquiries and the optimisation of administrative processes – both within the administration and in contact with citizens. The architecture of the AI systems and the underlying technologies will also be presented.
Mike Abé
Mike Abé has been responsible for all AI-related matters at the internationally active Dussmann Group since 2024. Together with his team, he acts as an enabler, inspirer and implementer of AI solutions within the group, combining pragmatic approaches with visionary goals. Within a short period of time, the technical and professional foundations as well as an understanding and mindset for AI were established within the group, thus laying the groundwork for an AI-ready culture in the context of AI excellence.
Mike Abé also manages all AI-related activities as part of a company-wide change and transformation project for the planned introduction of a company-wide ERP solution. Mike Abé benefits from more than 25 years of experience as an IT generalist in senior IT positions at companies of various sizes and in various industries.
He has a personal passion for Agentic AI and its future applications, as well as the resulting opportunities and risks for companies, society and individuals.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 3:20 pm | Location:
End User Keynote: Culture beats technology: our path to AI maturity
Technology is only half the battle – without the right culture, any AI initiative will remain a pilot project. This presentation highlights how we managed to transform a service company with no prior AI experience from having “no AI expertise” to becoming an AI-ready organisation. The focus is on the human and organisational factors that make the difference: Mindset and acceptance: How we overcame scepticism and built trust. Competence development: Reskilling programmes and AI literacy for all levels. Governance and structures: The formal framework for sustainable AI use.
Anja Lange
Anja Lange is a moderator who lives in Hamburg and has been working successfully as a freelance moderator for several years. She completed a moderator training course at the Institute for Moderation at SWR/Hochschule der Medien and has been regularly on stage or in front of cameras since then. In addition to events, she also presents conferences, trade fairs and film festivals. Her focus topics are digitization, IT, media and marketing. Due to long term stays abroad, she also moderates in English. Her second mother tongue is Dutch. She holds a master degree in cooperate communications.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 26 2026 5:10 pm | Location:
Wrap Up & Closing
Thursday, March 26 2026 9:00 am | Location:
Welcome and Introduction
Knowledge Hub
5 Key Highlights on the European Observability Market in 2025
Observability is rapidly evolving as organizations across Europe embrace digital transformation, cloud adoption, and AI. As IT environments become more complex, traditional monitoring approaches are no longer sufficient.
The Agentic Business Future: Driving Resilience, Sovereignty, and Innovation in EMEA
As organizations navigate an era defined by economic uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and relentless technological change, one truth stands out: the future belongs to those who can harness AI, automation, and sovereignty to build resilience, drive innovation, and unlock growth.
Shadow AI: How stealth productivity is strangling enterprise AI adoption. And creating a security nightmare…
Remember the good old days when “Shadow IT” was just about rogue Excel spreadsheets and unauthorized Dropbox accounts? But the times they are a-changing! Now we’re dealing with something far more insidious: Shadow AI.
Venue
Radisson Blu Hotel Frankfurt
Radisson Blu Hotel Frankfurt
Franklinstraße 65, 60486 Frankfurt am Main
https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-frankfurt
Terms & Conditions
Please read BEFORE registering:
The IDC AI & Data Summit is aimed at IT and specialist staff from IT user companies in Germany.
For the purposes of these terms and conditions of participation, IT user companies are defined as all companies that do not themselves provide consulting services and/or develop, manufacture, or distribute information and communication technology (ICT) products or services.
Employees of outsourced IT companies who work exclusively for the parent company and do not conduct any third-party business are also eligible to participate. Employees of IT service companies generally only have access to our events through sponsorship.
IT provider companies within the meaning of these conditions of participation are hardware, software, service, and telecommunications companies, as well as consulting firms and ICT service providers.
IDC expressly reserves the right to reject registrations from persons who do not belong to the above-mentioned target group, even if the invitation was issued by one of our partners, mistakenly by IDC itself, or through participation in an online survey.
After registering via the online registration form and successful verification by IDC, you will receive a binding confirmation of registration by email.
Not the right event for you?
Don’t worry! We organize a variety of events designed to inspire original ideas, share the latest industry insights, and connect professionals like you. Simply sign up for event invitations, and we’ll notify you whenever a new event matches your interests.
Sign up