Technika x Karlsruhe.digital at LEARNTEC 2025: Young ideas for the future of learning and working
From 6 to 8 May 2025, Messe Karlsruhe will be transformed into a pioneering center for digital education, learning technologies and new working environments. LEARNTEC, Europe’s largest event dedicated to digital education, offers not only an AR/VR area, but also a comprehensive program. Around 90 international speakers – including keynotes by AI expert Dr. Philippa Hardman and psychiatrist and bestselling author Prof. Dr. Volker Busch – can be seen at LEARNTEC.
Keynotes that set impulses: Learning, change, courage
The LEARNTEC 2025 congress program features top-class speakers who will shed light on the future of learning from a wide variety of perspectives.
The opening keynote will be held by computer scientist Prof. Dr. Jan Peters on the topic of “Learning for robots: From biomimetic inspiration to intelligent technical systems and back!”. He will show how findings from machine learning can also expand our understanding of human learning.
Dr. Philippa Hardman, AI expert and lecturer at the University of Cambridge, picks up the ball: In her presentation, she argues for a clear strategy so that AI can actually add value to educational processes.
On Wednesday, lecturer and start-up consultant Dr. Birgit Stelzer will address the topic of “Future Skill Innovation Power”, followed by a keynote speech by brain researcher Prof. Dr. Martin Korte: entitled “Learning, remembering and forgetting with digital media”, he will explain why, despite all the advances in digital education, analog forms of learning will still be needed in the future.
Finally, neurologist, psychiatrist and bestselling author Prof. Dr. Volker Busch will inspire the audience with his “encouragement keynote”: he will show how people can cultivate courage, curiosity and a spirit of optimism in turbulent times – also with the help of neuroscientific findings.
Artificial intelligence remains the dominant topic
2024 was the year in which generative AI finally moved out of its niche and into everyday life – including in e-learning. LEARNTEC 2025 will show how AI is increasingly enabling individual learning paths, acting as a personal learning assistant or taking on new roles in the educational process.
Sonja Bruns from TeleTax, for example, presents individualized e-learning with the help of an AI assistant. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seitz from Stuttgart Media University explains the use of AI avatars as educators, evaluators and advisors: what they can do, what we know and what we still need to learn.
A workshop by Daniel Stoller-Schai and Sven Kohlmeier from the Digital Education Institute entitled “Live Prompting and Legal Wrap” is dedicated to the legal framework for the use of AI – with a focus on EU regulations and application security.
Gamification and new learning worlds: Imparting knowledge through play
Fun while learning is another topic: gamification – learning through playful elements. In his presentation, Wladimir Hettmann from Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences will shed light on how language models can be used in the museum experience. Prof. Dr. Julia Thalmann (Ruhr-West University of Applied Sciences) and Tessa Thomas-Dingemann will explain gamification in the study and work context: “Revolutionizing Retail Marketing Education with Gamification in Virtual Reality”
New Work Evolution: Experience work in transition
Anyone visiting LEARNTEC will almost automatically end up at New Work Evolution. The focus there is on new working models, agile management styles and corporate culture. The NWE is not a traditional congress, but an interactive platform with workshops, tools, networking opportunities – and plenty of room for discussion on the four focus topics of “DE&I”, “Culture”, “Technology” and “Office”. Project manager Stefanie Ruf explains: “New Work does not mean turning a company completely upside down in a short space of time. Even small steps in the right direction can achieve a lot, which leads to meaningful work and a positive corporate culture and contributes to the company’s success.”
Working from home and hybrid working have long been part of everyday life for many, and studies show that they increase productivity. Nevertheless, these solutions are still controversial among many employers. The situation is similar with discussions on part-time management or trust-based working hours. New Work Evolution aims to close this gap between practice and theory. With keynotes by entrepreneur and transformation consultant Isabel Grupp, entrepreneur and investor Georg Kofler, psychologist Dr. Eva Elisa Schneider, author of the reference book “Mental Health matters”, fin(ancing)fluencer Jürgen Schmitt from Deutsche Bank and the non-profit organization Viva con Agua with its own panel discussion.
Companies such as Haufe, feco-feederle, USM, uptownBasel and more will also be represented. There will be plenty to discuss and try out at the exhibition stands. The Innovation Lab will provide a space for exchange, while the WorkshopArea, which is being held for the first time this year, will offer an even more in-depth look at the topics.
Technika x Karlsruhe.digital: Young talents, big ideas
The joint presence of karlsruhe.digital and the Technika AGs at LEARNTEC will once again be a real highlight from the region in 2025. The technology working groups of the Karlsruhe Technology Initiative will give pupils The children have the opportunity to bring their own ideas to life with technology from an early age – with impressive results. From manicure machines and humanoid robots to the German Youth Research Award-winning fine dust sensor for bicycles, there will be many exciting machines and their developers. to marvel at inside. And there will also be tips for schools and other places of learning on how to set up and successfully run such a facility.
The young talents present their developments directly at the trade fair. The stage not only offers them visibility, but also real feedback from the tech community.
Special attention is paid to promoting girls: the projects show how enthusiasm for technology can develop beyond gender stereotypes if it is encouraged – with enthusiasm, self-confidence and a lot of know-how.
Close cooperation with schools, companies and initiatives from Karlsruhe creates a fertile breeding ground for young tech talent – and a living example of how the future can be shaped together.
The Technika stand can be found in the dm-Arena in Hall 4 at stand number S1 and invites children and young people to experience the latest inventions and creations of the students.
Karlsruhe as a hotspot for education, work and innovation
With LEARNTEC, New Work Evolution and the strong commitment of local players such as karlsruhe.digital, the CyberForum and the Karlsruhe Technology Initiative, it is once again clear that Karlsruhe not only hosts major trade fairs, but is also a source of ideas and a driver of digital transformation.
The city brings people, technologies and visions together – across industries, age groups and institutions. If you want to know what learning and working could look like in the future, you should be there at Messe Karlsruhe at the beginning of February 2025.
Congress tickets are still available until March 23 as day and season tickets at the early bird price. Tickets and info: CLICK HERE