Learning from Silicon Valley

Speed is essential, emphasised host Ragnar Kruse, joint founder of AI.Group, which organised the international conference with Petra Vorsteher. "AI remains underestimated at the moment. and in view of the uncertain global situation, we need to use and expand our AI skills and talents much more." Hamburg has excellent universities, but AI training needs to be integrated into teaching so that it can realise its full potential in the economy. "AI already offers marketable and affordable solutions for an increasing number of business sectors." In this vein, companies such as the Otto Group, Trustpilot and the Fielmann Group presented use cases to the 400 delegates.

The Otto Group is already an old hand at AI. "We can look back on almost 15 years of AI experience in the course of our digital transformation," said Saskia Dupré, Manager of GenAI at Otto. "We have been made a significant impact," she added. Employees like the og GPT chatbot, developed in 2023 thanks to its practical applications and impact on their daily work. The AI platform "MOVEX Virtual Content Creator", developed by One.O, a subsidiary of Otto, creates AI-generated photos, videos and images for the Outfit Generator. This has cut image production time by 70 per cent and led to a 60 per cent cut in  production costs. Now the Otto Group and the Headline venture capital company are implementing Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) within the company. GenAI has changed customer search behaviour. GEO is now the new SEO, as it raises the visibility of AI overviews. And the recently launched GenAI Ambassadors scheme should stir up enthusiasm among employees. "It's about motivation and a deep understanding of how AI can be used in a relevant manner. To this end, we are training employees to become AI multipliers," said Dupré.

AI has sent the number of users on Trustpilot through the roof after the company reached around 61 million reviews in 2024. A large proportion of these are generated by bots. AI filters out fake reviews. "AI is more than just a tool for us; it is key to our survival," said Uta Ernst-Diarra, Senior Director Enterprise Europe & APAC. "Our business is based on trust". But it is not economically viable for humans to verify 61 million reviews. Thus, Trustpilot relies on machine learning, neural networks and GenAI to identify fake content patterns. "It's a race. AI is pitted against AI. But we're winning," said Ernst-Diarra laughing.

The Hamburg-based Fielmann Group's AI initiatives are based on three pillars. "Our AI Hub focuses on making things happen. We use ChatGPT to empower our employees and collaborate with start-ups through Venture Clienting," said Edda Becker, Head of Venture Clienting at the Fielmann Group. AI is used for a variety of purposes, ranging from virtual fitting tools combined with interactive advice. AI can answer questions, analys faces and tools check the availability of e.g., Tailor Swift's latest pair of sunglasses at Fielmann.

"Yes", the commitment to AI is worthwhile, according to Andreas von Bechtolsheim, founder of Silicon Valley unicorn Arista Networks. Speaking from Silicon Valley, the expert pointed to impressive figures, adding: "OpenAI is valued at US$ 500 billion and is the fastest growing company in history." Nvidia is now valued at an impressive US$4.4 trillion, and the combined market value of the six leading US tech companies — Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon comes to approximately US$19.5 trillion.

Commenting on seemingly never-ending rising prices, von Bechtolsheim suggested that the widespread use of AI could lead to deflation and falling prices. However, low prices for cognitive robots that perceive, reason and act are not on the cards, according to Marc Theermann, Chief Strategy Officer at Boston Dynamics. Interest in humanoid robots, coupled with the hope of fast delivery, is growing. "The era of robots is dawning. But not next year, and they won't be cheap." Speaking from Boston, he offered a glimpse into the future: "In 30 years, robots will be living among us, driving and flying us, and doing dangerous jobs." Sounds like a brave new world - or does it? The next AI Summit in June 2026 will shed light on all the latest developments.
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