Colorful Night of Digitalization 2026: About 50 partners at 20 locations, over 200 program items, and hot temperatures
From robotics and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence, gaming, smart cities, and digital education: The Colorful Night of Digitalization once again highlighted in 2026 just how diverse the digital landscape is in Karlsruhe. Despite the sweltering summer temperatures, around 50 partners organized a program featuring more than 200 activities across 20 locations.
Under this year’s theme of “Digital Sovereignty,” Karlsruhe demonstrated how digital technologies can be developed, deployed, and shaped: in government, in businesses, in schools, in academia, and at the heart of urban society.
Opening with Ronja Kemmer at TRIANGEL Transfer | Culture | Space
The event kicked off with the main opening ceremony at TRIANGEL on Kronenplatz. Ronja Kemmer, the new Chief Digital Officer of the Baden-Württemberg state government, attended the “Colorful Night of Digitalization” and offered insights into the importance of digital sovereignty for Baden-Württemberg.
It was already clear at this point what the day would be about: the question of how municipalities, businesses, educational institutions, and citizens can use digital technologies without relinquishing control over data, infrastructure, and digital skills, and while retaining or gaining genuine freedom of choice. The topic was particularly striking in places where digitalization became immediately tangible.
A Hands-On Smart City Experience
During the “Colorful Night,” the market square and city hall were once again transformed into a smart city exhibition, where, for example, the Lessing High School attracted a great deal of interest with “Ephraim,” the school’s self-developed AI. Together with their teacher, the students presented a fully locally operated AI platform that does not rely on external cloud services and is intended for use in everyday school life in the future.
Just a few meters further on, visitors to the market square could interact with the STAR research robot, learn how to spot phishing attempts, or find out about current research projects being conducted by the “Wir forschen digital” citizen panel.
Also at the market square, the FZI Research Center for Information Technology presented robotics for public spaces. The walking robot Spot demonstrated how modern robotics can be used in various areas of society in the future.
Experience the Digital City
At City Hall, the focus was on the city of Karlsruhe’s current smart city projects. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the Karlsruhe Digital Twin, explore virtual urban spaces with VR headsets, try out the Karlsruhe.App, and gain insights into projects related to urban data.
The Karlsruhe Technology Region’s mobility portal also demonstrated how digital tools can help make mobility services more transparent and easier to use.
Get involved, network, help shape the future
The City of Karlsruhe’s Science Office, together with its partners, presented projects and initiatives such as karlsruhe.digital, Stadtgeist, #digiTALK, EFFEKTE, and the free KA-WLAN, and invited attendees to discuss the city’s digital future.
OK Lab Karlsruhe was also represented and demonstrated how open data and civic engagement can help develop digital applications for urban society.
Experience Research, AI, and Innovation Up Close
Once again, Karlsruhe’s research community proved to be a major draw.
Visitors who braved the tropical temperatures to come to Haid-und-Neu-Straße were treated to insights into the latest developments in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, mobility, and energy at the FZI House of Living Labs. Guided tours of the research labs and workshops on programming with locally operated AI allowed visitors to experience research firsthand.
At TRIANGEL, the focus was on presentations, discussions, and hands-on activities centered on user-friendliness, IT security, and digital innovations. It became clear here that successful digital transformation does not depend solely on technology, but above all on how people perceive and use digital offerings.
Companies Open Their Doors
Once again this year, the “Bunte Nacht” offered a rare opportunity to take a look behind the scenes at Karlsruhe’s technology companies.
Experience Software Development and Artificial Intelligence
Among others, Vector Informatik GmbH and CAS Software AG opened their offices in the technology park.
At Vector Informatik GmbH, visitors could watch developers at work, try out embedded software hands-on, learn more about AI testing in safety-critical applications, or gain their first programming experience with the Calliope Mini. Presentations also provided insights into modern software development, ranging from medical technology to smart homes and software-defined vehicles.
Right next door, CAS Software AG showcased its innovation projects focused on artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and modern work environments. Interactive product demonstrations, career opportunities, and one-on-one conversations allowed visitors to experience digital innovation firsthand. Another focus was on entry-level opportunities in IT, as well as on how AI is transforming software development.
The alfa Group also opened its doors and, together with its member companies, demonstrated how AI, digital communication, accessible technologies, and digital continuing education are already transforming everyday life. Visitors were able to try out AI-powered language technologies, gain insights into modern video communication, and learn how digital solutions are transforming education, the workplace, and social participation.
IT Security and Digital Sovereignty
At aramido GmbH, the focus was on cybersecurity and digital sovereignty. The team provided practical insights into current threat scenarios and demonstrated how companies and organizations can strengthen their information security.
Innovation Meets Community
At bluehands, the Innovation Party was all about exchange. Together with Women in Tech e. V., Green Software Development Karlsruhe, the Association of Karlsruhe Software Engineers (VKSI), the Scrum User Group Karlsruhe, and Usability Testessen, an open meeting place was created for presentations, discussions, and networking. Topics such as green software development, future skills, diversity in IT, and sustainable software development encouraged attendees to participate and join the discussion.
Media and Education in the Digital Age
Together with CyberForum e.V., the Badische Neueste Nachrichten (BNN) celebrated the launch of its new event series, “Prompte Ergebnisse.” The focus was on social media and artificial intelligence—with practical insights into how AI can already make everyday life easier, for example when writing, planning, or organizing.
The Karlsruhe Adult Education Center also demonstrated that digitalization affects everyone. From open digital workshops for people with disabilities and adults with limited prior digital experience, to digital German language courses, and lectures on privacy-friendly messaging apps, search engines, and 3D printing, the Karlsruhe Adult Education Center offered a diverse program for various target groups.
Digitalization in Everyday Life and Culture
IKEA Karlsruhe demonstrated that digital solutions have long been part of everyday life. Visitors learned how digital tools make shopping easier, what role the IKEA app plays in this, and how the logistics operate behind the scenes with over 7,000 storage locations. A special highlight was the bird’s-eye view—a group drone flight through the store that offered an extraordinary glimpse behind the scenes.
The ZKM | Center for Art and Media also took part in the “Colorful Night” and highlighted just how closely art, media, and digital technologies are intertwined today. Guided tours, exhibitions, and interactive activities invited visitors to experience digitalization from a cultural perspective.
Careers, Entrepreneurship, and Future Technologies
At the CyberForum’s Smart Production Park, much of the focus was on the people behind digitalization.
In addition to gaining insights into Karlsruhe’s startup and entrepreneurial scene, visitors were able to explore career paths, have their job applications reviewed, learn about salaries in the IT industry, and try out new technologies.
At the same time, partners such as the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH-AICS), Codesphere, HyperClarity, DHBW Karlsruhe, and the AI Transformation Camp presented the latest developments in artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and digital transformation.
It became particularly clear just how closely innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship are intertwined in Karlsruhe.
Digitalization for All Generations
The “Colorful Night of Digitalization” is deliberately aimed not only at a specialized audience.
Whether it was programming workshops for children, hands-on robotics, interactive activities for families, information on higher education and careers for young people, or data protection consultation hours for citizens, the program demonstrated once again that digitalization affects all areas of life and can be explained in an accessible way.
A strong signal for Karlsruhe as a hub for digital innovation
The 2026 Colorful Night of Digitalization impressively demonstrated what sets Karlsruhe apart: the close collaboration between science, business, government, education, culture, and civil society.
From school AI to robotics and smart cities, and on to research labs, startups, and internationally successful technology companies, it became clear just how diverse the approaches to digitalization are in Karlsruhe.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our partners, sponsors, our patron, and the visitors who made this day possible and who made the trip despite the high summer temperatures.
We look forward to the next Colorful Night of Digitalization.
Photos © Björn Pados