Cutting-edge knowledge from science and practice - that was on offer to guests at the IT Congress Neu-Ulm | Ulm, now in its fifteenth year. Experts from HNU and companies from the region gave presentations on the four main topics of AI, New Work, Law and Usability and IT Security. The participants, some of whom travelled from as far as Hesse, used the time in between to exchange ideas, discuss and network.
The audience was welcomed to the lecture theatre by Prof. Dr Jens Kolb, Vice President for Transfer and Continuing Education at HNU, Katrin Albsteiger, Mayor of Neu-Ulm, and HNU Prof. Dr Philipp Brune, initiator of the IT Congress. In their welcoming speeches, they emphasised not only the great and increasing importance of the central themes of the 15th IT Congress, but also the significance of the IT Congress itself. Katrin Albsteiger said: "We recognised 15 years ago, and therefore very early on, that the topic of cyber security is essential for the use of digital opportunities. I am particularly pleased that with the IT Congress here in Neu-Ulm, we have created a platform for dialogue between science and practice for the digital future of our region."
Keynote on the topic of quantum technologies
Prof Dr Kai Bongs, Director of the Institute of Quantum Technologies at the German Aerospace Center and Associate Professor at the University of Ulm, then gave the first keynote speech. He showed what is already possible in the field of QT today, what expectations are associated with the technology and what opportunities and challenges exist in IT.
Keynote "Everyone is talking about AI - but what does it actually mean?"
In the second keynote speech, Prof. Dr Philipp Brune, research professor for AI at HNU and scientific director of the Technology Transfer Centre for Data Analytics and AI in Günzburg, gave an overview of the various sub-areas of AI and their possible applications. He emphasised that generative AI such as ChatGPT is only one area of AI, while other, often less complex AI processes are relevant in companies.
IT trade fair
At the trade fair, which took place simultaneously in the foyer of the HNU, 17 companies and institutions from the regional IT landscape presented themselves and invited visitors to discuss current IT trends and developments. Employers and employees also had the opportunity to talk to each other.
About the IT Congress
With the aim of presenting applicable IT knowledge and realisable solutions, the conference is aimed at company representatives from all sectors, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises as well as university staff and students. The IT Congress has been held annually in November since 2010. The event is organised by Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences, Ulm University of Applied Sciences and the Ulm/Neu-Ulm Urban Development Association in cooperation with regional companies and with the support of the Swabian and Ulm Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK).
