DLD 2025: Reflecting on Two Decades of Innovation and Inspiration

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Digital Life Design (DLD) with a Spotlight on AI

DLD is a Munich-based, invite-only conference that represents innovation and inspiration, differentiating itself from all the mainstream conferences with its content and provocative insights. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, DLD has grown from a niche gathering to a global phenomenon, attracting visionaries, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from around the world. This milestone event provided a unique opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the past two decades and draw valuable lessons for the future with an expected yet significant highlight: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the transformation it brings.

This year, attending DLD for the second time, I felt much more at ease. Nevertheless, the challenge of time remained: an abundance of knowledge to absorb, fascinating individuals to engage with, and groundbreaking ideas to explore. Join me as I share the key insights I gained, the remarkable people I connected with, and the powerful conversations that unfolded during this inspiring three-day innovation event.

DLD 2025: Main Discussion Topics

The 20th anniversary of DLD was a momentous occasion, marked by a series of thought-provoking sessions and groundbreaking presentations, including speakers from GitHub, Meta, WIRED, Stanford, Octopus Energy, BMW Group, the European Commission, MIT, TUM, and so much more. One of the most popular sessions was, no doubt, the keynote session of Robert Habeck, the candidate leading the Green Party’s election campaign. 

A spontaneous networking memory from DLD 2025

Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich, Hilal Eksel Merter, Meltem Hacıoğlu, Funda Haktanır, Begonia Vazquez Merayo

The main discussion points of the events were as follows:

• Are we all becoming developers? According to Mario Rodriguez of GitHub, the answer might be yes—and sooner than we think. He predicts that within five years, everyone at DLD will have some level of coding experience. Rodriguez emphasized that coding knowledge will empower business professionals, enabling them to bring their ideas to life using natural language interfaces without relying solely on professional developers. This shift could spark a wave of spontaneous innovation.

  However, for this transformation to be truly inclusive, Rodriguez stressed the importance of mobile-friendly tools. In regions with limited hardware resources, such interfaces could be the key to bridging the gap and accelerating progress in developing countries. He also addressed concerns about AI taking jobs, offering a reassuring perspective: rather than replacing jobs, AI will help us achieve more with fewer developers, clearing backlogs and enhancing productivity.

• Elisabeth Varn of BurdaVerlag, the publishing powerhouse behind DLD, highlighted a critical insight: while many professionals use AI in their work, they often remain unaware of its true business impact or return on investment. During her session, she shared how Burda leverages agentic AI workflows in publishing to streamline operations. These tools save reporters countless hours per project, especially when dealing with complex interviews or crafting storylines around fictional characters. Beyond time savings, these AI systems enhance fact-checking and research processes, making them more efficient and reliable. Varn emphasized that while these tools excel at handling intellectually demanding tasks, they are best suited for analytical work rather than creative endeavors.

• The session with the headline, “How to reclaim Humanity from Tech?” including Joanna Shields, WeProtect Global Alliance, and Author Ece Temelkuran, was provocative and essential, especially in the context of the global surge in extreme politics and the BigTech’s political interference. The discussion kicked off with a straightforward yet profound question: “Is it the technology that’s corrupt, or is there a larger context?” Nearly the entire audience agreed: it’s the context.

  Joanna Shields argued that we live in a society where profit is the ultimate priority. This capitalist framework undermines democracy and human-centered values, giving rise to figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. She suggested that the pervasive feeling of “losing humanity” stems from this reality. However, Shields sees this awareness as a silver lining—proof that people still recognize what’s broken. The panel also touched on AI’s precarious position. Ownership of AI remains murky, and the current subscription-based revenue model may eventually give way to ad-based systems, raising concerns about whether it will be too late to intervene. Shields emphasized that the problem might already be too vast for governments to handle alone.

  Ece Temelkuran approached the issue with equal fervor but a broader perspective. While she acknowledged the challenges of AI ownership, she framed it as one symptom of a much larger issue: the rise of neo-fascism. According to Temelkuran, even countries like Germany are at risk as social justice erodes and faith in democracy falters. “The loss of trust in democracy has been a long process, fueled by misinformation and immense inequality,” she explained. This inequality strips people of their dignity and leaves them disillusioned. “For many outside this room, democracy is meaningless. Can they change their lives through voting or democratic tools? To them, it’s just an elitist performance.”

  Temelkuran posed a critical question to the audience: Is Germany truly committed to protecting its democracy from figures like Musk and others driven by profit, or will it ultimately choose the path of self-interest? Her challenge served as a sobering reminder of what’s at stake in the fight for both humanity and democracy.

• The “Green Dreams” session by Bastian Gierull of Octopus Energy Germany offered a refreshing and optimistic perspective on the energy transition. Right from the start, Gierull challenged mainstream narratives, stating, “The current energy transition is a success. Claims of its failure are false—it’s thriving. These stories are driven by the fossil fuel lobby pushing an alternative narrative.” He acknowledged that, like any transformation, there will be both winners and losers but emphasized that AI and smart technologies will drive even greater progress.

  Gierull’s optimism was encapsulated in a compelling analogy: “The energy transition is having its iPhone moment. In the future, energy will be cheaper, better, and accessible to all.” His words painted a hopeful vision of a sustainable and efficient energy future.

• The panel, which brought together executives from ALDI SÜD and Lidl, explored the future of sustainable and plant-based food, emphasizing the power of collaboration—even among competitors—to drive meaningful change. The discussion underscored the importance of coopetition and collective industry efforts in achieving ethical business goals and transforming niche habits into mainstream practices.

• Lakestar’s Klaus delivered a sobering message at DLD, warning that Europe is confronting its greatest threat, with defense resources unprepared to meet the challenge. His presentation offered valuable insights into Europe’s stance against Russia’s aggressive strategies, backed by compelling data. The presentation highlighted Europe’s vulnerability in the face of its greatest security threat in decades, mainly from Russia. It underscored the urgent need for increased defense investment as European NATO allies lag in funding, military readiness, and innovation compared to global powers.

  The study suggests raising Germany’s defense budget to 3.5% of GDP (over €150 billion annually), which could enhance deterrence capabilities while driving significant economic benefits, including a potential GDP increase of €70-180 billion. It also advocates for a robust European defense innovation ecosystem involving the armed forces, industry, startups, investors, and society. This ecosystem would focus on modernizing military capabilities and fostering technological advancements, helping Europe regain strategic resilience and global competitiveness. You can access his detailed DefenseTech report through this link for a deeper dive into his analysis.

• Alex Turtschan’s “Understanding GenZ” session offered a fresh and thought-provoking perspective: “What if much of what GenZ does in the digital space and their careers is intentional? What if they’re acting like hackers, spotting flaws in societal systems and treating them like program code to be modified, patched, and redeployed?”

  Far from the lazy stereotype often assigned to them, Turtschan described GenZ as curious and restless, constantly experimenting with new methods and approaches to “hack” the system. He argued that to engage and inspire this generation; we must adopt a fundamentally different approach that aligns with their innovative and adaptive mindset. Read more here.

• Several sessions spotlighted the growing technology and innovation gap between Europe and the US, with particular focus on the challenges facing Europe’s DeepTech ecosystem. Founders often seem to perceive Europe as “insufficiently unified” due to unclear regulations, limited public sector commitment, a shortage of anchor customers, and inadequate funding. These issues are driving many to relocate to more favorable hubs like the US or the UK.

  Andrew McAfee of MIT delved into the reasons behind Europe’s lag in tech, identifying two key factors: a lack of venture capital and the failure to scale startups into publicly traded EU companies. During a fireside chat with Robert Habeck, McAfee posed the critical question: is the EU prepared to take the bold steps necessary to bridge these gaps? To learn more about Habeck’s response, click here.

Bastian Gierull of Octopus Energy Germany

Robert Habeck DLD Keynote

There were many other interesting talks spanning from longevity to SpaceTech strategies, and I recommend you watch the DLD 2025 session recordings via YouTube.

Key Learnings from DLD 2025

The Power of Collaboration for Technology and Innovation

One of the recurring themes at DLD 2025 was the importance of collaboration in driving innovation, particularly in Europe, where a fragmented ecosystem prevents unified innovation. Speakers emphasized that the most significant breakthroughs often occur at the intersection of different disciplines and perspectives. Entrepreneurs and researchers were urged to seek partnerships and leverage diverse teams' strengths to solve complex problems. To close the gap innovation gap and keep up with the bigger tech ecosystems, Europe should establish a collaboration culture among competitors (“coopetition”) between public-private sectors and create mechanisms for cross-border collaboration.

Ethical Innovation

Innovation is great, but is it ethical enough? As technology advances, and starts interfering with humanity’s key values, innovation's moral implications have become increasingly important. Sessions at DLD 2025 delved into data privacy, AI ethics, and the societal impact of digital transformation in light of the ongoing tech development. There was a consensus that responsible innovation must be at the core of future technological developments, along with clear ownership and governance, ensuring that progress benefits humanity.

Sustainability and Technology

Sustainability emerged as a critical issue at DLD 2025, with discussions on how technology can be harnessed to address our planet's environmental challenges. From renewable energy solutions to less meat consumption, DLD 2025 highlighted the pivotal role that technology can play in creating a more sustainable future. Innovators were encouraged to prioritize eco-friendly practices and develop solutions minimizing environmental impact.

The Symbiosis of Nature and Technology

Many sessions during DLD highlighted the success of the business initiatives and investments embracing nature and technology, not only from the social responsibility and PR aspect but also as cost-cutting and revenue-generation channels. The critical answers businesses might be looking for are apparently right under their noses: in nature, where we all start and end.

Last but not Least: Optimism in Times of Political Extremism

This year’s DLD carried a clear and compelling motto: “Future Positive.” In her opening speech at the House of Communications in Munich, DLD founder Steffi Czerny urged the community to embrace optimism despite the challenges ahead. “We cannot afford the luxury of pessimism. We stand on the brink of transformative change—one that we in Europe must not merely observe but actively shape,” she declared. This sentiment was echoed by Robert Habeck, who outlined his “three magic reform wishes” for the future: tax reform, regulatory reform, and an unwavering sense of optimism

DLD 2025 offered an inspiring vision of the possibilities emerging technologies like quantum computing, blockchain, and biotechnology hold. From enhancing cybersecurity to revolutionizing healthcare, these innovations showcased their transformative potential across industries. The conference emphasized the need to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and explore their applications across diverse sectors.

Another key focus was on empowering the next generation of innovators and leaders. The event highlighted the importance of education and mentorship programs designed to prepare young talent for the fast-changing digital world. Additionally, fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech industry was underscored as a critical priority for driving sustainable progress.

Exclusive Insights and Interviews

During the session breaks, I took the opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals, uncover captivating entrepreneurial stories, and explore bold predictions for 2025. Here are some highlights:

I asked Bulut Arukel of Colendi, the Board Member of prominent Turkish fintechs and associations, key takeaways from the event:  “The most important lesson I learned: We are not thinking big enough! In Turkiye, we often focus on short-term strategies due to regional challenges. However, we must lift our heads and ask: Where will the world be in 2030? Will our investments today still be relevant then? Moreover, we should already be considering 2035 and asking what we need to focus on for the future.

In Europe, a major topic was, “How can we compete with the US in technology?” With such a rich history, this region has somehow missed what a relatively new geography has achieved. The focus was on what Europe lost in the technology race and what needs to be done moving forward. Key points being: 1)Full focus on energy and AI, 2)Generative AI will be one of the most critical topics of the future, 3) Embedded technologies and the evolution of next LLM models should be closely monitored.

One of the companies that caught my attention during the event was Black Forest Labs Germany, which is doing outstanding work. One recurring theme I noticed is Europe’s tendency to rely heavily on government support—grants, tax advantages, funding, etc. The US operates differently; it’s a “roll-up-your-sleeves-and-do-it-yourself” mindset. This difference in mentality is a key factor in success. More ambition, vision, belief, engagement!

Another significant takeaway: Will the things we do today remain competitive in the next 25 years? This question should be at the top of our agenda. It’s been just two years since ChatGPT entered the scene, and everything has changed so much. We must adapt to change.

A personal note: Read more, read more, and read more. That’s my motto for 2025! Lastly, a personal observation: The leaders of Bavaria’s biggest companies (BMW, Mercedes, Allianz, Siemens, BASF, Bayer, etc.) were incredibly humble. They queued to check their coats, drank the same coffee as everyone else, and enjoyed conversations with ease. I believe reaching this level of modesty and openness will significantly benefit our country’s future progress.

Thanks to Sina for the invitation and to all the wonderful friends from Turkey who made this event even more enjoyable. Looking forward to reconnecting and having new adventures!”

Bulut Arukel, Elif Kocaoglu Ulbrich, Ussal Sahbaz

I asked Ussal Sahbaz of Ussal Consultancy about his impressions of the event. Ussal is a well-connected lobbyist active in Turkiye and the MENA regions, and you might remember him from last year’s Bitesized Expertise episode about the art of lobbying: “DLD offers an excellent platform for interdisciplinary discussions on emerging technologies. This year, a key theme was the challenges faced by Europe. While some reports suggest Europe is in decline, I believe those claims are greatly exaggerated. The discussions at DLD highlighted that Europe has significant levers to foster innovation in new technologies. However, to unlock its full potential, Europe must address critical issues like demographics and overregulation.”

Elid Kocaoglu Ulbrich, Moriz Wessely

One of my fortunate encounters was with Moritz Wessely, the Munich-based CEO and founder of PrecisionBiome. Like me, Moritz transitioned from a legal career to follow his true passion—entrepreneurship. He has dedicated himself to revolutionizing healthcare with personalized gut microbiome therapies. When I asked him about his driving passion (clearly not law), he shared, “My mission is to heal over a million people with our technology and transform lives, just as it transformed mine.” He added, “My core values are radical realism paired with ultimate utopianism, which makes this year’s DLD motto resonate deeply with me.”

“Based on our cutting-edge AI technology, PrecisionBiome provides individualized Gut Microbiome Optimization in a simple three-step process of Gut Testing, AI Analysis of the individual microbial Ecosystem, and Manufacturing of Individual Synbiotics for each user. During the Alpha Testing, our technology helped over 1000 people living with chronic diseases and entering live mode since the end of September 2024; the company has already achieved successful pilots with some of the leading global Longevity clinics.”

PrecisionBiome has already secured B2B customers and has collected an overwhelming number of positive customer feedback. They are currently looking for seed investors and key advisors, so feel free to contact Moritz if you are interested.

DLD Side Events

A variety of traditional side events took place between January 16th and 18th, including the Chairman’s and Speaker’s Dinners, as well as themed gatherings like the BIOSPHERE Dinner, Sustainability Dinner, and Security and Defense Dinner. For a quick glimpse into these moments, feel free to explore the photo albums via the Flickr link.

The annual Friday Kraut brought attendees together to share a Bavarian-style feast—a perfect opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and forge new friendships. Don’t miss the chance to take a look!

Bavarian Style Friday Kraut @ Augustiner Keller

Please take a look at our 2024 coverage to remember last year’s DLD. We added more pictures below for our readers who’d like to take a closer look at our DLD experience: