Let’s be honest: yesterday’s weather didn't exactly have much of a summer party feel to it. But sometimes that is precisely what makes an evening all the more special. Especially when, despite the rain, so many people are keen to chat about the future, work and AI.
As TechnologyCentreDortmund (TZDO) did we have for 114th edition of the 3rd Wednesday invited, this time again as a summer party in the courtyard of the e-port Dortmund. And even though the weather for the evening was more North German than Mediterranean, the atmosphere at the digital port was a wonderful fit. Guiding you through the evening was Dirk Stürmer, Managing Director of the TZDO. To begin with, he welcomed Lord Mayor Alexander Kalouti the guests and made clear the importance that technology, innovation and the jobs of tomorrow have for Dortmund's economic development.
The keynote speech by then took centre stage Dr Eldar Sultanow:
„Your new colleague is an AI agent - and starts today.“
And this new colleague can do quite a lot: take over routines, prepare processes, reduce red tape, write minutes and maybe even create Jira tickets. „AI is just like microplastic and nobody sees it.“ A striking image of how naturally AI has long been seeping into our everyday working lives.
At the same time, it became very fundamental at one point: „The potential for humans to be replaced by AI is enormous.“ That initially sounds like the old „man versus machine“ narrative, but what was more exciting was looking ahead: standardisable work is losing importance, and services can become more individual. If AI takes over more routine, bureaucracy and tasks in future that nobody really feels like doing anyway, what will we humans then do with the time, skills and freedom that creates?
After the lecture, the evening merged into what 3rd Wednesday is all about: exchanging ideas, getting to know one another, making and strengthening connections. Amidst the food trucks, drinks and gelato, there were plenty of good conversations about AI, digitalisation, day-to-day business life and, of course, the weather.
Many thanks to Mr Lord Mayor Alexander Kalouti, Esq. Dr Eldar Sultanow and to all guests, partners and supporters for this special summer evening at the e-port Dortmund.
A warm thank you also goes to our partner, Dortmund start-up centre the Dortmund Economic Development Agency, as well as our sponsors audalis, DOKOM21, Dortmunder Actien-Brauerei GmbH, Marx & Marx Versicherungsmakler GmbH & Co. KG, Dortmund Savings Bank and our health partner The technicians.
Our conclusion: A summer party does not necessarily need sunshine. Good impetus, open conversations and a strong network are completely enough. And gelato always works…
