Last week, Heidelberg once again lived up to its reputation as a hub of innovation. The Heidelberg AI Conference, held at the Heidelberg Innovation Park (hip) and within the premises of the Technologiepark Heidelberg, attracted widespread attention across Germany. Experts from science, industry, and politics gathered to discuss the opportunities, risks, and future of artificial intelligence (AI).
The conference drew a diverse and high-profile audience, including Sven J. Körner from the Heidelberg-based AI start-up Aleph Alpha, IBM’s AI expert Matthias Biniok, and Johannes Tröger from Ameria AG. Heidelberg’s Mayor Eckart Würzner also attended, emphasizing the city’s strong position as a center of technological innovation.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding recent breakthroughs, Körner urged the public not to confuse AI with magic. Language models like ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) are powerful but still prone to error. “AI doesn’t even know it’s talking to someone—it just calculates probabilities,” Körner explained, warning against inflated expectations. Biniok echoed the caution, pointing out that around 80% of AI projects fail, often due to poor planning, lack of regulatory foresight, or insufficient human oversight.
One practical success story presented was “JuKI,” a collaborative project between IBM and the youth welfare office of the Augsburg district. This AI-powered web tool dramatically shortens the time required to process applications—what once took days now takes hours or even minutes.
Another highlight came from Ameria AG, a Heidelberg-based deep tech company that is currently testing an AI visualization device in the urology department of Salem Hospital. The prototype transforms MRI scans into 3D models that float in mid-air and can be controlled with natural gestures—without the need for VR glasses. Tröger emphasized, however, that “we are still at the very beginning when it comes to AI.”
The conference reinforced Heidelberg’s position as a center of technology with international appeal. Current data backs this up: according to Germany’s Startup Association, Heidelberg ranks second among German startup hubs—just behind Munich and ahead of Berlin.
More than just a showcase of cutting-edge technology, the conference was also a call for measured thinking. It made one thing clear: innovation and critical awareness must go hand in hand if AI is to make a sustainable contribution to society.
Source: RNZ and Mannheimer Morgen
