ERFURT
It is currently on everyone's lips, and many attributes are ascribed to it: “panacea”, growth driver, future technology, black box, rigid transformer of the working world – all this and more is in the air when talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI). How can entrepreneurs and researchers in the Free State make the best use of AI, what networking opportunities exist to harness potential, and how future-proof are new applications in this field? – The 7th Thuringian AI Forum, which takes place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the COMCENTER Brühl (Erfurt), is dedicated to questions like these. The organizers are LEG Thüringen and the Thuringian Center for Learning Systems and Robotics (TZLR).
“AI is a cross-sectional technology that will increasingly influence the nature and success of our economic activities in the coming years,” says Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John, who will open the event with a welcome address. Thuringia recognized this development early on and therefore anchored the topic in its innovation strategy; in addition, the state offers its companies extensive support for the introduction and use of AI technologies through funding programs as well as research and consulting institutions. “Furthermore, it is also important to maintain regular exchange about the advantages and disadvantages of such a technology. The AI Forum is an excellent platform for this.”
The AI Forum offers all participants a wide range of benefits, whether as a decision-making aid for management, as inspiration for employees, or as a catalyst for new business models. With practical workshops, instructive lectures, and an exhibition of innovative companies, it makes AI tangible. "As LEG, we support our Thuringian companies and research institutions in achieving top positions in their market segments," says LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey. "The path to success leads only through more innovation, effective use of new technologies such as AI, and close networking among all stakeholders – our AI Forum makes a significant contribution to making this happen."
A key focus of the event is five workshops, in which all participants work hands-on on solutions using AI tools. The topics range from the use of chatbots in everyday work, to the use of AI in skilled trades, to applications in automated production processes in industry. Best-practice presentations also have a close connection to the concrete work in companies and research institutions; they deal, among other things, with AI as an innovation driver for smart inspection solutions in the electronics industry, AI support in surgery, and the improvement of weather forecasts. Further inspiration is provided to all guests by the accompanying demonstrator exhibition, which makes various aspects of AI and robotics tangible: The range extends from robots for communication and assistance tasks, logistics applications and health rehabilitation, to the self-driving bus PMOVER, techniques for supporting surgical procedures, AI systems for assessing biodiversity and machine conditions, to AI software for sign language recognition.
“This year's AI Forum has become even more interactive and practice-oriented with its workshops and demonstrators, allowing more time for discussions and inspiring exchange of experiences“ says Prof. Horst-Michael Groß from TZLR. „We also want to put the spotlight on the next generation, the AI and robotics experts of the future, this time."
Prof. Groß opens the AI Forum in the morning after the official welcome addresses by Minister Colette Boos-John and LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey, moderating the award ceremony for the competition "Best Bachelor Thesis in AI and Robotics“, in which students from Thuringian universities are honored, and he will present special prizes to students from selected Thuringian Jugend-forscht regional competitions. The AI Forum concludes with the keynote speech by Martin Talmeier, an expert in digital transformation in companies. The lead coach of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin advises companies on the use of AI and advocates for intensive use of AI, but not without forgetting the most important tools of humans: their own thinking and human creativity. Accordingly, the title of his keynote speech is: "Why we need our own brains more than ever in the age of AI“.
Information about the event at:
https://www.cluster-thueringen.de/aktuelles/veranstaltungen/innolog-7-thueringer-ki-forum
