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The annual conference on artificial intelligence
On October 21, 2026, the annual AI conference “AI for SMEs” will take place for the seventh time at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria. Companies will have the opportunity to gain new insights into the topic of artificial intelligence (AI), exchange ideas with experts from business and academia, and learn about numerous best practices from the Bavarian startup scene.
AI as a driver of innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises
In addition to an introduction to the topic of artificial intelligence, we’ll discuss practical questions—such as how AI can be successfully implemented and utilized in companies.
Practical breakout sessions and inspiration for everyday business life
Participants can deepen their knowledge in a total of four breakout sessions. Among other topics, the focus will be on the current issue of AI agents in the workplace. In addition, the ethical, legal, and human aspects of the technology and its use in companies will be explored.
Startup landscape, exchange, networking, and new collaborations
Participants will gain comprehensive insight into the diverse applications of AI solutions: A total of ten startups will present their approaches in 2-minute pitches. Afterward, participants will have the opportunity to engage with the startups and other experts in the networking area, ask questions, and build connections.
AI from research for small and medium-sized enterprises
fortiss is contributing several expert presentations to the conference program. In a presentation, the research institute will introduce the EU-funded project edih dina (Digital Innovation & Artificial Intelligence), which supports companies and government agencies in their digital transformation and the adoption of AI solutions. In a breakout session, Dr. Axel von Arnim and Claus Pribbernow will present the research project FussbaLLLiebe and provide insights into the use of neuromorphic processors for intelligent, wearable sensor systems. In addition, Prof. Dr. Alexander Pretschner, scientific director of fortiss, will discuss success factors, challenges, and concrete approaches to introducing AI in small and medium-sized enterprises during the panel discussion “How Do I Bring AI to SMEs?”
Overview
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Moderation: Franziska Neuberger, Head of Digitalization and ICT, Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria
Time Topic 13:00 h Welcome
Speaker:
Franziska Neuberger, Head of Digitalization & ICT, IHK für München und Oberbayern
Dr. Wolfgang Fischer, Director Operations, Projects and Policy, appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH
Prof. Dr. Alexander Pretschner, Scientific Director, fortiss GmbH13:15 h Introduction to AI
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Alexander Pretschner, Scientific Director, fortiss GmbH13:35 h Presentation of the EU project edih dina - Digital Innovation & Artificial Intelligence
Speaker: David Rottenegger, Bayern Innovativ
Presentation content:
Digital transformation in general, and the introduction and application of AI solutions in particular, present companies with major challenges while also opening up significant opportunities.
Starting in September 2026, the edih dina project, funded by the EU with almost €6 million, will support business and public administration in practical digital transformation. The presentation will provide participants with more information about the project and its benefits for companies.13:50 h Panel: How can SMEs implement AI?
Panel participants: Prof. Dr. Alexander Pretschner, fortiss GmbH;
David Rottenegger, Bayern Innovativ;
Praxispartner (tbd)
Panel content:
Artificial intelligence offers major opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises – from more efficient processes and new business models to reducing the workload of employees. But how can companies get started in practice? What requirements need to be met, and where are the biggest challenges? In the panel, we will discuss how SMEs can successfully launch and implement AI projects. Expect practical insights and concrete recommendations.14:20 h Start-up Pitches: A look at the region’s AI landscape
Participants will gain insights into the best practices of ten AI start-ups. The pitches will showcase what AI can do and the areas in which these technologies are being used. Afterwards, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and network with the start-ups in the exhibition area and ask questions about the use cases and AI in general.15:20 h Presentation tbd
Further information will follow shortly.15:40 h Moderation: Introduction to breakout session
Further information will follow shortly.15:30-17:00 h Breakout Session #1: New colleagues: AI agents in the workplace
Workshop information: Four workshops will be held simultaneously, each lasting 25 minutes. Participants will then have 5 minutes to move to the next workshop room.
Speaker: tbd , applied AI Institute for Europe
Workshop: ChatGPT like a pro – hidden features, power tips and strategies
Foundation models are increasingly becoming part of everyday working life. They have evolved from simple chatbots into agent-like tools that can think, plan and act independently. This interactive session explores the ethical, legal and human questions arising from the use of these agents in the workplace.15:30 - 17:00 h Breakout Session #2: FussbaLLLiebe: highly innovative wearable sensor system prototypes
Workshop information: Four workshops, each lasting 25 minutes, will be held simultaneously. Participants will then have 5 minutes to move to the next workshop room.
Speaker: Dr. Axel von Arnim und Claus Pribbernow, fortiss GmbH
This breakout session presents a highly innovative wearable sensor system prototype designed as an example for use in football. The wearable captures motion data via an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and processes it directly on the device using a neuromorphic processor. This enables reliable recognition of sporting activities and the derivation of relevant performance indicators for training and analysis.
The technology opens up a wide range of applications far beyond sports. Potential fields of application include industrial automation, robotics and intelligent sensing, medical technology and assistive systems, as well as aerospace, mobility, and security and defense applications.
The project FussbaLLLiebe is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi) and implemented in close cooperation with the industry partners interactive wear and adidas.What to expect:
- Neuromorphic wearable for real-time analysis: Presentation of the innovative sensor system prototype for real-time analysis of motion data.
- Energy-efficient AI technology: The combination of conventional algorithms with Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) for energy-efficient data processing directly on the device.
- Broad application potential: The technology developed as part of the FussbaLLLiebe project opens up applications far beyond sports—including in industry, robotics, medical technology, mobility, aerospace, and anywhere else where energy-efficient real-time sensor technology is needed.
15:30 - 17:00 h Breakout Session #3: GenAI applications in business
Workshop information: Four workshops will be held simultaneously, each lasting 25 minutes. Participants will then have 5 minutes to move to the next workshop room.Speaker: tbd
Breakout session: More information will follow shortly
17:00 - 18:00 h Networking
End of the event. Take the opportunity to continue exchanging ideas and networking in the networking and exhibition area.
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The event is aimed in particular at small and medium-sized IHK member companies, as well as their employees, IT managers, and decision-makers who would like to better understand AI, learn about its potential applications, and exchange ideas with experts and other companies.
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Date
21. Oktober 2026 13:00 - 18:00 hLocation
Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria, Max-Joseph-Straße 2, 80333 MunichLanguage
GermanRegistration Fee
Free of charge
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The event is presented by fortiss GmbH, the appliedAI Institute for Europe gGmbH, and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria.
