“Berlin offers space for ideas, new companies, international talent, and people who want to try something new.”

For the past ten years, the Rise of AI Conference has been a fixture on the European AI calendar—and a reflection of how the field has evolved. What began in 2016 as a curiosity-driven meetup in Berlin is now one of the most relevant platforms for dialogue between research, industry, and policy on artificial intelligence in Europe.

Behind the conference are Fabian and Veronika Westerheide—he with a focus on AI, technology, and society, she with a knack for community, atmosphere, and creating the perfect experience. In conversation with #ai_berlin, the two look back on ten years of Rise of AI, reflect on Berlin’s development as an AI hub, and look ahead to the anniversary edition on May 5 and 6, 2026.

Fabian, the first Rise of AI Conference took place in Berlin in February 2016. How did the idea come about back then—and what was your vision for the conference?

Fabian Westerheide: It all started with curiosity. I wanted to better understand what lies ahead for us, so I invited experts, listened to them, and brought in more guests. The first three meetups went so well that a conference format emerged almost organically. That wasn’t the plan at all initially.

In terms of content, we started from a posthumanist perspective and the question of what technology will do to us as humans in the long term. Then it became increasingly clear: We need to explain to people that AI isn’t something that will come someday, but is already beginning to transform the economy and society.

The fact that this evolved into Rise of AI also had to do with our dynamic: Veronika brings the event side, I bring the content. That fit together very well from the start. Our vision then quickly became clear: to create a place where smart people from research, business, politics, and the startup world come together early on to help shape Europe’s role in AI.

In 2018, we spoke with you about Berlin as an AI hub. At the time, you said Berlin had the research, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the talent—it just needed to react faster. Eight years later: What has Berlin done right since then, and what particular strengths distinguish the capital today as an AI hub?

Fabian Westerheide: Berlin is strong above all because the city offers space. Space for ideas, for new companies, for international talent, and for people who want to try something new. Research here isn’t at the absolute world-class level in every discipline, but Berlin has other strengths that are enormously important in the AI era.

The capital benefits from a mature ecosystem: international talent, VC capital, an established startup hub, and a culture where founding and scaling are built into the mindset. Berlin is also building on the successes of earlier generations—from Team Europe and Rocket Internet to IPOs like Zalando and Delivery Hero. This has created structures, capital, and self-confidence.

That’s why Berlin is now one of Europe’s most relevant AI hubs—not because everything here is perfect, but because many of the right ingredients come together here.

Veronika, you’ve been organizing Rise of AI for years and have helped shape the community firsthand. What makes a successful AI conference—and how have the event and its participants evolved over the years?

Veronika Westerheide: For me, a successful AI conference stems from attention to detail and genuine hospitality. The guest must feel that they are the center of attention. Behind the scenes is an orchestra of well over 200 people who set up, execute, and take down the event in just a few days. As a visitor, you usually don’t see that—but that’s exactly where the quality is determined.

We taste every meal beforehand. Name tags are handwritten. Service providers are closely supervised. I manage this process with both strictness and warmth because I want the conference to become a special place—a place where people feel welcome and are happy to return. It is precisely this family spirit and the love for atmosphere, connection, and precision that have defined Rise of AI for years.

The event itself has become more mature and focused over the years. In the past, the focus was more on explaining AI in general. Today, more decision-makers, founders, investors, political figures, and people who want to apply or help shape AI in concrete ways are attending. The expectations have grown—and with them, the responsibility.

Fabian, in a 2018 interview, you emphasized how important it is for Europe to build its own strong AI industry—so that the systems influencing our lives also reflect European values. Ten years later, with the AI Act and a growing number of European AI companies: Do you see Europe on the right track?

Fabian Westerheide: Partially. Europe has good researchers, strong founders, a resilient ecosystem, investors, and an industry that faces competitive pressure and therefore wants to take action. These are real strengths.

At the same time, I’ve become more critical. In Europe, we’re missing out on parts of this megatrend because we’re too hesitant. In many governments, AI is still just one item on a long to-do list. There is often a lack of focus, speed, and a shared strategic direction. Unfortunately, this is also a symptom of Europe: a lot of coordination, but little in the way of major leaps forward.

That’s why I would say: The ecosystem is working; the companies and talent are delivering. But politically and structurally, we are falling short of our potential. So Europe isn’t on the wrong track, but it’s moving far too slowly.

You’re deeply engaged with the topic of longevity and the question of how AI can help us live healthier and longer lives. What developments do you expect in this area in the coming years—and what opportunities do you see here for Berlin as a life sciences and health tech hub?

Fabian Westerheide: I expect AI to make healthcare significantly more precise, preventive, and personalized in the coming years. We will be able to better integrate biological data, behavioral data, and medical insights to derive more personalized recommendations, earlier diagnoses, and more effective therapies.

I find everything emerging at the intersection of traditional medicine, prevention, and digital daily life particularly exciting: personalized health support, better diagnostics, faster research, new drug discovery processes, and concrete help in staying healthy longer.

This is a huge opportunity for Berlin. The city has Charité, research, startups, international talent, and a strong intersection between tech, science, and entrepreneurship. If Berlin better harnesses these strengths, the city can also play a much stronger European role in the field of AI and health.

The Rise of AI Conference 2026 is titled “10 Years of Building Europe’s AI Ecosystem.” What can guests expect on May 5 and 6 in Berlin—and what is particularly important to both of you for this anniversary edition?

Fabian Westerheide: For us, the anniversary edition is a moment to pause—but above all, a signal looking forward. On May 5, we’ll kick off with a special speaker dinner, followed on May 6 by the conference featuring prominent voices from business, politics, research, and the European AI ecosystem. The focus will be on Europe’s technological sovereignty, competitiveness, and the question of how we build our own AI future.

Veronika Westerheide: For me, the details are particularly important in this edition. We don’t just want to talk about the anniversary on stage; we want to make it tangible throughout the entire experience: with a commemorative publication, special cupcakes, custom-designed logos, photo walls, and a very carefully curated dinner program. For me, elements like these are part of a conference that will be remembered.

And we also want to celebrate ourselves—not just as an event, but as an ecosystem in Germany. Ten years of Rise of AI also mean ten years of community, trust, and building together.

To conclude, let’s look ahead: When we sit together again in ten years—in 2036—how will we know whether business, research, and politics in Europe and Berlin have made the right decisions today?

Fabian Westerheide: We’ll know by whether Germany and Europe have truly become AI-first by then. In other words, whether business, education, and government have not only adopted AI but structurally aligned themselves with it.

The decisive factor will be whether these systems run on infrastructure that is either our own or at least under European control. Whether European companies offer the relevant software. Whether data remains in Europe. And whether we have become technologically less dependent on the U.S. and China.

If by 2036 we can say that Europe not only consumes but also builds, operates, and scales its own systems, then we have made the right decisions today. If not, then we will continue to depend on others.