AltoPartners Germany’s 2019 client reception was held at the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering in Potsdam on January 25, facilitated by Joachim Becker, AltoPartners Berlin Managing Partner.

More than 40 C-level executives across various industries (Financial Services, IT/Software, Manufacturing, Real-Estate, Professional Services etc.) took the chance to discuss the status of AI with Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, Dean of the HPI and an expert in digital engineering and machine learning.

Guests enjoyed the stimulating environment of the “Epicentre” of Design Thinking in Germany, usually only accessible to HPI-students.

Key insights from Christoph Meinel’s impulse lecture include the fact that:

• Germany’s fundamental AI-research is excellent but in many cases lacks transmission – mainly due to lack of private or public investments – into marketable products and/or services.
• The creativity of scientists and R&D engineers in the EU very often is limited by (missing) legal frameworks or restrictions.
• China or the US offer a more entrepreneurial environment and consequently are steps ahead, particularly in the consumer-market.
• Germany’s chance is to further stimulate its AI “know-how” into robotics and mechanical engineering for industrial use.

In addition to the reception, guests took a guided tour through the fabulous Museum Barberini in the centre of the historical city of Potsdam.