AIxIA 2025: Does the future of AI lie in Franco-German cooperation?
On October 14, Karlsruhe will be transformed into the center of Franco-German AI cooperation for the sixth time. AIxIA 2025 has the promising motto “Beyond Intelligence – The Next Era of AI” and promises more than just technical showcases. We spoke to Alexandra Krumm, one of the organizers, about the vision behind the conference and the future of the European AI landscape.
Complementary strengths instead of going it alone
What makes a Franco-German AI conference so special? For Alexandra Krumm, Event and Marketing Manager at DIZ (Digital Innovation Center), the answer lies in the different but perfectly complementary strengths of the two countries: “The Franco-German perspective combines two complementary strengths: Germany’s focus on industry and SMEs and its innovative strength with France’s strong research push and growing activity in foundation models.”
This combination is no coincidence, but a strategic necessity. “Germany has strong roots in industry and SMEs, where AI is already being used in production processes, mobility, energy and healthcare,” explains Krumm. “France, on the other hand, is characterized by excellent basic research, a lively start-up scene and major initiatives in the area of foundation models.”
This year’s motto “Beyond Intelligence – The Next Era of AI” points to a fundamental change in AI development. Krumm explains: “The ‘Next Era’ does not just mean the increased performance of models, but an increasingly shifted focus: from pure performance maximization to robust, sustainable, socially integrated and controllable AI.”
Specifically, this means a focus on “multimodal and context-aware systems, better interfaces to physical systems (robotics/production), governance and compliance mechanisms (‘trust by design’) and ecological compatibility (green AI)”, according to the organizer.
From niche to established platform
The AIxIA has undergone impressive development since its first edition in 2019. “Earlier editions focused more on method discussions and initial industry pilot projects,” says Krumm, looking back. “Over the years, practical applications, regulatory topics and breakout sessions with an industry focus have been added.”
This evolution reflects the maturing of the AI landscape: from theoretical foundations to practical applications, from technical issues to social challenges.
A particular strength of the AIxIA lies in linking technical innovation with regulatory requirements. “Keynotes and deep-tech talks are complemented by panels with regulators and compliance officers,” says Krumm, describing the hybrid format. It is crucial that “regulatory debates do not remain fundamentally abstract, but address specific technical implementation issues”.
Current developments shape the program
This year’s program has been significantly influenced not only by regulatory debates, but also by the rapid development of the AI landscape. “Advances in AI agents, domain-specific RAG, on-device models, evaluation frameworks and GenAI in engineering have been particularly influential,” says Krumm. There are also external factors such as “the progressive implementation of the EU AI Act and its gradual deadlines and requirements” as well as “discussions about the energy requirements of AI computing infrastructure and green AI initiatives”.
Europe as a global AI player
For Krumm, one thing is clear: “We will only become globally competitive if we bring the two together: state control and industrial practice. This is precisely where the AIxIA comes in – as a platform that combines the best of both worlds and promotes European cooperation.”
AIxIA 2025 is a building block for a European AI strategy that combines technical excellence with social responsibility. At a time when AI is changing the way we work, live, think and do business, the Franco-German collaboration is trying to show a way in which social values and strengths can be translated into the digital future.
The AIxIA 2025 will take place on October 14, 2025 in Karlsruhe. Further information and tickets at: www.aixia.eu