AI everywhere! –But how? This was the motto of the 14th IT Congress Neu-Ulm | Ulm at the HNU. Is artificial intelligence a blessing or a curse? How do we manage to make AI a strength and what are the limits? These questions were the focus of the IT Congress Neu-Ulm | Ulm 2023 and attracted around 400 guests to the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU) on 9 November. At the same time, a trade and recruiting fair took place in the foyer of the HNU.
17 lectures, 21 speakers and plenty of practical knowledge – that was the focus of the IT Congress Neu-Ulm | Ulm. Experts from science and industry gave presentations on the four main topics “Hyperautomation”, “Cloud, New Work & Sustainability”, “AI – No Intelligence?” and “Focus on Security – The Impacts Are Getting Closer”. In the breaks between the presentations, there was room for exchange, discussions and networking.
The guests were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Philipp Brune, the initiator of the IT Congress, by HNU Vice President Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann and by Ulm’s Lord Mayor Gunter Czisch. In their welcoming remarks, they addressed the increasing importance of AI in teaching and research as well as in business and city administration. Prof. Dr. Brune immediately showed how he can appear online as Elon Musk with the help of a deepfake integration and thus set the mood for the day. Gunter Czisch was particularly looking forward to good discussions: “I am pleased that the HNU is laying the foundation for exchange between the city, the civilian population, the HNU and the companies on the topic of AI. I wish all of us that we can develop a positive force after this day and face this challenge together.”
Keynote on hacker attack at the Caritas Association
Afterwards, Thomas Schwarz, CFO of the Caritas Association Munich and Freising e.V., gave a keynote speech on the topic of “Ransomware and Caritas – how do they fit together? Using existential crises as an opportunity”. In 2022, Caritas was the victim of a cyberattack with ransomware that shut down the entire organization. Thomas Schwarz gave insights into the course of the attack, shared experiences on crisis management and passed on his findings and learnings to the audience.
Keynote on the topic of quantum technologies
Prof. Dr. Joachim Ankerhold from the University of Ulm revealed what is behind the second quantum revolution in the second keynote of the day – “Quantum technologies – Quo vadis?”. He explained the challenges the world is currently facing, but also the potentials and areas of application that arise from quantum technologies.
Trade and Recruiting Fair
Another highlight of the IT congress was the trade and recruiting fair, which took place in the foyer of the A building of the HNU. 19 exhibitors presented themselves and invited visitors to their booths to exchange information about current developments and trends in the IT sector. Potential employers and employees also had the opportunity to find each other there.
About the IT Congress
With the aim of presenting applicable IT knowledge and actionable solutions, the Symposium for company representatives of all industries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises companies as well as university members and students. Since 2010, the IT Congress has been held annually
in November. The event is organized by the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, the Technical
Ulm University of Applied Sciences and the Ulm/Neu-Ulm Urban Development Association in cooperation with regional companies as well as with the support of the Swabian and Ulm Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
