Program

Welcome & Opening of the 9th Ada Lovelace Festival 🎥

Opening Conversation - The secret life of mitochondria 🎥

Our planetary house is on fire, and so are we. This internal energy crisis is not just metaphorical, but biologically literal. Levels of cellular inflammation in our body are at an all-time high, fueling astronomical rates of physical and mental disease, while affecting our decision-making in the workplace and ability to reach our planetary sustainability targets. In this talk, we will explore the invisible seat of power, energy and regeneration in our cells - our mitochondria - and how they might hold the key to personal health, workplace wellbeing and planetary sustainability.

Decolonizing Creative Labor in the age of AI

Creative AI has got us asking existential questions of what makes us human. To crack the code, you need to crack the culture that makes us who we are. Who and what is creative remains largely disconnected from diverse and global cultural norms, rendering existing technology suboptimal and even unusable to the world’s majority. Creativity has long been dictated by the aesthetic taste, values, needs, concerns, and aspirations of the West. Today, India and China alone account for the majority of the world’s users. The Global South are fast shaping data systems in ways that remain underexamined and siloed as “Rest of World” among industry and government folks. With the rise of the creator economy across sectors, questions abound on creative rights, provenance, fairness, labor, and representation. This talk discusses concerns around digital labor, data materiality, media literacies, creative value, and online expression. In doing so, it sets a pathway towards designing inclusive and intersectional systems that transcend borders.

Solutions vs solutionism to address climate change 🎥

In this Deep Dive, we explore groundbreaking solutions addressing climate challenges. Join the session to unravel the world of Climate Tech, revealing cutting-edge innovations and actionable strategies. Empower yourself to contribute to a greener, sustainable tomorrow.

Networking Session with Scenona Cards

Humans talking about the future reveal a lot about themselves, their values and goals. That´s why the “future” as a topic is a perfect fit to connect with people during ALF. Scenona Cards are beautiful and well-crafted personas form the future that represent a variety of potentials and skills to navigate future topics and to take your own stand. In this moderated session participants have the opportunity to explore their interests, potentials and questions together and thus connect on multiple levels.

The Food System 🎥

The transition of the FOOD SYSTEM is one of the biggest challenges & one of the biggest opportunities of our time. Change is urgently needed if we want to secure good nutrition for the future and at the same time massively reduce the negative footprint of the industry. In this session we will explore the main drivers that are leading the change in a $ 8 trillion industry. We will also navigate through the rapidly evolving innovation in areas like alternative protein, functional food and food waste reduction. Change is urgently needed - CHANGE IS POSSIBLE

Food Tech: Taste of Tomorrow. Navigating the Future of Food-Tech 🎥

Uncover the Culinary Future: Our Panel "Food Tech: the Taste of Tomorrow" invites you on a journey where technology and gastronomy converge. Our panel explores how Food Tech transforms the culinary landscape, from sourcing to dining experiences, redefining taste and traditions. Join us to indulge in insights, explore novel flavors, and witness the delectable evolution of food. Be part of this compelling conversation shaping how we eat and connect with our nourishment.

Beyond the Firewall: Navigating the Future of Cybersecurity and Data Protection 🎥

Step into the realm of cybersecurity and data protection, where safeguarding your digital landscape has never been more critical. Our panel discussion - "Navigating the Future of Cybersecurity and Data Protection" - sheds light on the pressing importance of cybersecurity in today's interconnected world. We’ll unravel the evolving threats and challenges faced by individuals and organizations alike. Discover how cyberattacks can disrupt businesses, compromise personal data, and threaten national security.

AI for good in practice - Social impact with ethical principles

In this session Lukas will present how a startup like Witty Works approaches ethical AI. The session will show the underlying principles and how they are operationalized along with concrete examples of how these processes were applied in the real world during the development of the Witty Works inclusive writing assistant.

Innovation monitoring with AI

Upgrading your Innovation Intelligence with AI. While innovation is a core driver of the success of modern businesses, understanding the modern innovation landscape can quickly turn into a challenge. With rapid technological advancements, interdisciplinary convergence, high uncertainty and globalized ideas, it takes agility, adaptability, and a deep understanding to stay ahead. In this session, we want to equip participants with AI-driven tools and methods to improve and speed up their innovation research. We will first look into current research methods, like classical desktop research and the services of high-profile research agencies, and reflect why these methods are limited in embracing the dynamics of the modern innovation landscape. While innovation trends and lifecycles are accelerating, today we also have large quantities of innovation-related data at our fingertips. Using AI methods such as Natural Language Processing, we can process this data and mine it for meaningful, dynamic and actionable insights. We illustrate this process using Anacode's Innovation Monitor as a showcase and give participants a hands-on opportunity to explore innovation topics of their own interest.

Unveiling Hidden Realities: An Interactive Journey 🎥

Ignite your potential with our immersive structured session that encourages deep reflection, knowledge sharing, practical application, and problem-solving.

Networking Session with Scenona Cards

Humans talking about the future reveal a lot about themselves, their values and goals. That´s why the “future” as a topic is a perfect fit to connect with people during ALF. Scenona Cards are beautiful and well-crafted personas form the future that represent a variety of potentials and skills to navigate future topics and to take your own stand. In this moderated session participants have the opportunity to explore their interests, potentials and questions together and thus connect on multiple levels.

Future of Work 🎥

Brace yourself for an exploration of the ever-evolving landscape where work, technology, and innovation converge. In this panel discussion, we will dissect the intricate facets of the future of work, shedding light on how technological advancements, societal shifts, and changing workplace norms are shaping the way we work, collaborate, and contribute.

Why not save the planet? Climate Action is a collective responsibility

Ignite your passion for a sustainable future: Let's Be the Change! Whether you're an experienced advocate or just embarking on your sustainability journey, this deep dive session is designed to: Acquire knowledge, engage in interaction, explore practical examples, and find the inspiration to get started and take the first step towards making change happen.

Meditation 🎥

Take a moment to recharge and center yourself with a guided meditation. Let’s give our busy minds a break and enjoy a moment of mindfulness to slow down and arrive in the present moment.

Yes, blind people actually shop online – we only have to let them

There's a common misconception that people who are blind or have limited vision don't engage in online shopping. To challenge this belief, we conducted usability tests on our client's online shop in collaboration with a foundation for the blind and visually impaired. In this presentation Mihaela shares the outcomes of these tests and emphasizes the significance of implementing accessibility measures and how people who are blind are indeed capable of shopping online – if you let them.

Leading the Future: Exploring the Evolving Role of Leadership 🎥

Embark on an exciting journey through the world of influence, innovation, and making a difference. Join our respected panelists as they unlock the secrets of leadership in a fast-changing world. Learn what it really means to lead during times of rapid change, new technologies, and different perspectives from around the globe. We'll explore how traditional leadership ideas connect to the demands of the digital age. Together, we'll explore new territories, expand our horizons, and inspire a fresh approach to impactful leadership. Get ready to delve into the evolving role of leadership in shaping our shared future.

Thriving together: How an employee-driven company culture can become the key to retention 🎥

Retention is the new recruitment. In times of an increasing shortage of skilled workers, the success of a company is closely connected to its ability to retain its talents. The key to that lies within the company culture. Many companies however are still struggling to identify and explain what defines them as an employer. Their self-reflection is limited. In this session, participants will have the opportunity to exchange and learn why, for the development of an enticing culture, companies have to ask those who know it best: their own employees.

Cracking the Code of Human Understanding: An Interactive Exploration

Dive into an engaging 45-minute session of human understanding. Join us to explore the profound impact of empathy, the insights of X-Data, and the transformative possibilities of augmented intelligence through technology. Through interactive activities, real-world examples, and a focus on asking the right questions, this session equips you with the skills to comprehend and connect with people on a whole new level. Experience the intersection of human insight and technology in an exciting and enlightening journey.

Finding balance with mindfulness

Life-changing innovations, futuristic technologies and ethical controversies meet the ancient practice of simply being present. Mindfulness may seem like the ultimate contrast to today’s constant striving for more, faster and better. Does that mean they can’t coexist? Quite the opposite. In this Deep Dive, we’ll explore how mindfulness can boost your resilience to stress and help you stay in balance amidst the chaos of modern life.

Artful Interlude: Becoming Uncertainty 🎥

Be inspired by a special artistic performance that will make you dive deeper into your mind.

Cooperation and Inclusion through Open Source 🎥

Government agencies have always been required to cooperate, but so far this cooperation has always been strictly hierarchical and only top-down. Public administration is supposed to work for the citizens, but in the perception of many people this is not the case. The use of free open source software (FOSS) leads to a paradigm shift. Suddenly, not only the directly involved authorities are the target group, but in principle everyone, whether administration, business or civil society. There is no need for lengthy cooperation agreements; the formal boundary between authorities and citizens become more permeable when everyone can openly see what is being developed and can try it out and develop it further themselves. I want to introduce you to how the city of Munich is trying to drive this paradigm shift towards more FOSS.

#shifthappens - the surprise edition.

Pranayama & Maitri

Embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and inner harmony as we explore the ancient art of Pranayama (breathwork) and the profound essence of Maitri (loving-kindness).

Precision Medicine: The Future of Personalized Healthcare 🎥

Get set for an exciting adventure into medical innovation and personalized healthcare. Our panelists will help you understand precision medicine, where advanced technologies and customized approaches come together to transform patient care. We'll explore how individual solutions are changing diagnostics, treatments, and disease prevention in healthcare. Join this visionary conversation and be part of shaping the future of healthcare. Discover the boundless potential of Precision Medicine in revolutionizing how we understand, treat, and embrace health

Ethics and Aesthetics of Generative AI 🎥

Discover the transformative potential and the ethical responsibilities inherent in Generative AI. What are the ethical implications of AI-generated content in the age of deepfakes? How can we ensure AI algorithms align with human values and avoid biases? What measures can be taken to maintain transparency and accountability in AI-generated works?

Body Intelligence

This Deep Dive is a moment to explore the themes and concepts introduced during the preceding Artful Interlude. You will look into your most-used, and most-underrated, form of intelligence - your body. Facilitated discussion and pedestrian movements; a chance to ground and embody.

A future more like the past than the present

Kate’s talk asks ‘if we understood more about who we are, what makes us thrive, how we engage and understand our world and our place in it more deeply what kind of future could we choose to build, and if so, would that future look more like the past than the present.’ There will also be live demonstrations of Kate’s work at Novalia where her and her team have created interactive posters that play sounds and remix music when touched.

Connecting Beyond the Visible 🎥

A series of visualizations and interactions that will help you see the hidden side of how we collaborate and connect with others in our journey to build the future together.

The risk of replicating inaccessibility and exclusion: what we can learn from web2 for web3 🎥

This interactive workshop titled "The Risk of Replicating Inaccessibility and Exclusion: What We Can Learn from Web2 for Web3" aims to raise awareness about the potential risks of replicating inaccessibility and exclusion in the development of Web3. The workshop will explore the definition of inaccessibility and exclusion in the context of the web and provide examples of how they can manifest. Participants will discuss potential risks and identify strategies to mitigate these risks by sharing examples of best practices from Web2 that could be relevant to Web3. The workshop will also include an interactive group activity where participants will brainstorm strategies for avoiding the risks of inaccessibility and exclusion in various aspects of Web3 development. The workshop is suitable for anyone interested in promoting accessibility and inclusion on the web, including Web3 developers, designers, and community members, and no prior knowledge of Web2 or Web3 is required.

Ask Verena Pausder

Engage in this captivating "Ask Me Anything" session with our speakers, providing participants with the opportunity for personal and up-close conversations to ask their questions.

The Future of the European Start-Up System 🎥

Be part of a transformative journey through the world of European startups. In this engaging session, our expert panelists will uncover the current trends and challenges faced by startups in the region. Discover how European countries collaborate to create a thriving startup ecosystem and support innovative ventures. Explore the crucial role of government policies in fostering a favorable environment for entrepreneurship. Learn how European countries attract and retain top talent to drive startup success. Witness the exciting rise of AI startups and how they are shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Europe. Delve into the opportunities and challenges in AI-driven ventures and how Europe can become a global AI innovation hub.

Gendermedizin 🎥

In dieser deutsch-sprachigen Panel Diskussion werfen wir einen Blick darauf, wie Geschlechterunterschiede die Medizin beeinflussen. Welche Auswirkungen haben sie auf Krankheiten, Medikamente und Forschung? Erfahre, wie Gendermedizin die Gesundheitsversorgung verbessern kann.

Psychedelics: A consciousness technology for the leaders of tomorrow?

The tarnished image of psychedelics as perilous substances for delirious weekend-raves is slowly dissipating. Respectable media outlets like The Economist and the New York Times are heralding the dawn of the “psychedelic renaissance” in the treatment of mental disorders. Yet, the space between clinic and rave is wide and teeming with potential for truly transformative practices. In this Deep-Dive, we wish to take you on a journey of exploring the scientific underpinning of how psychedelics work in the brain, and most importantly, how this unique “consciousness technology”could help us on our path of personal maturation and professional growth.

Poem Co-Creation

Unlock your inner poet by joining our Poem Co-Creation workshop at this year's Ada Lovelace Festival. In this workshop, we will dive into the world of words, creativity, and collaboration as we craft beautiful poems together.

Closing Conversation 🎥

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Miriam Meckel and Brian Christian, where they will delve into the profound impact of technology on society, the intriguing ethics of AI, and the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. Brian will share insights from his acclaimed books, such as 'The Most Human Human' and 'Algorithms to Live By'.

What do you see when you look for AI? 🎥

In this deep dive session we will focus on what we see, and don’t see, when we look for AI. We will start this session by drawing AI. Using both visual and textual prompts, this deep dive session will involve participants in recognising those aspects of AI that are often invisible to users and the wider public, either deliberately or by accident. Those invisible aspects are often crucial to the functioning of AI. By the end of the session, we will prepare a joint visualisation of AI.

Recap & Closing #ALF23 🎥

Mystery Tables

Our Mystery Tables await you on the evening of the first festival day. What is a Mystery Table? On the evening of September 14th, we reserved various tables in different restaurants for you near the location. Our ada ambassadors will host the Mystery Tables for you this evening. Sign up, enjoy exciting conversations, great food and network with other participants. Please note that you are each responsible for your own payment. Please keep in mind that some spaces in Berlin only offer cash payment. The space is limited, so it's "first come, first served."

ALF Party

After a great first festival day, the SchwuZ will open its doors again, exclusively for all Ada Lovelace Festival participants. Let’s celebrate together and get energy for the second day. Entry is free.