Wild, Wary, World-Shaping

Burda's innovation conference DLD Munich 26 demonstrated just how unpredictable and contradictory the digital future has become - and turned precisely that insight into its programme. Under the motto "It's gonna be wild", more than 250 international thought leaders met from 15 to 17 January at Munich's House of Communication to discuss artificial intelligence, Europe's digital sovereignty and the role of humanity in an increasingly accelerated world, alongside nearly 2,000 participants.

A Wild Tomorrow: Optimism and Scepticism in the AI Debate

From generative models and AI in medicine to new applications in the creative industries and manufacturing, the range of topics addressed in the panels was broad. Many speakers struck an optimistic tone: Europe, they argued, possesses outstanding talent, strong research ecosystems and fast-growing start-ups capable of delivering the next major leap forward - provided that capital, courage, and a willingness to experiment come together. One message echoed throughout the programme: "Pessimism is a waste of time."

At the same time, DLD Munich 26 was also a forum for critical self-reflection. Experts such as AI researcher Stuart Russell warned against developing systems whose complexity exceeds human control - systems that, in extreme scenarios, could replicate autonomously, manipulate their environment or resist shutdown. In Munich, enthusiasm met a clear-eyed recognition that intelligence equates to power - and that such power requires boundaries if humanity is to benefit from it in a sustainable way.

European Sovereignty: Independence in the Digital Age

Another key focus of DLD Munich 26 was the question of how Europe can secure digital sovereignty in the global technology race. Discussions on stage centred on concrete steps towards independent digital infrastructure, proprietary platforms, and resilient cloud and data ecosystems - as well as on creating an innovation climate that strengthens European values rather than putting them at risk. Bavaria's Minister for Digital Affairs, Fabian Mehring, described the current moment as a "watershed" in which artificial intelligence is reshaping the global distribution of prosperity. He emphasised Bavaria's ambition to secure a lasting position among the world's leading technology regions.

Former EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager articulated the political dimension: anyone seeking to change course must first understand what needs to change - and, above all, reduce dependence on foreign platforms whose impact on data sovereignty, public discourse and the mental health of European citizens is increasingly under scrutiny. Three priorities for Europe emerged clearly at DLD: significantly more risk and growth capital for deep-tech projects; less fragmented regulation combined with harmonised rules across the EU single market; and a determined commitment to building digital sovereignty at a European level. This also requires a new mindset - a shift from a culture of resentment to one of courage, in which citizens do not merely endure technological disruption but actively shape it.

The Value of Humanity in the "Wilderness" of Technology

Alongside panels on AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, new energy systems and - with increased emphasis this year - defence, the conference placed a strong focus on the inner, human dimension. How do algorithms affect mindfulness, mental health, spirituality and new forms of community? DLD founder Steffi Czerny summed up the guiding idea: the goal is not to escape the "wilderness" of technological upheaval, but to learn how to live with it - without putting values, self-determination or humanity at risk.

Journalism was highlighted as playing a key role, serving as a counterweight to authoritarian disinformation and as a safeguard of democratic public discourse. In sessions on truth, media and society, journalists, clergy and researchers discussed how trust can be rebuilt in an age of deepfakes, social bots and polarising feeds. At the same time, artists and creatives demonstrated that AI is not merely a machine for efficiency, but also a tool for new forms of expression - provided creative control remains firmly in human hands. "It is our call whether we control technology and become sovereign, or whether we allow ourselves to be controlled by it," said AI expert Björn Ommer - a question that ran like a common thread through the three days of DLD Munich 26.