DATA festival
Program Details
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data.stage
March 26th, 10:00 – 10:30 am
Opening Keynote
Dr. Carsten Bange, Founder & CEO | BARC & Alexander Thamm, Founder & CEO | Alexander Thamm GmbH
Carsten is CEO and founder of BARC, an organisation specializing in independent research and advisory as well as events in the data & analytics market. Alex is CEO and founder of Alexander Thamm GmbH, one of the leading providers of data science and artificial intelligence in the German-speaking region.
Togehter they founded the DATA festival in 2017, envisioning an engaging community and innovative event platform around the topics of Data, Analytics & AI.
March 26th, 10:45 – 11:15 am
Harnessing Generative AI: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions
This session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Generative AI’s journey so far, offering valuable insights and lessons learned. Whether you’re a business leader, technologist, or AI enthusiast, this presentation will equip you with the knowledge to navigate and leverage the evolving world of Generative AI effectively.
Ben Hassan Firas, Deputy Head of Data Science Services and Program Owner of AllianzGPT | Allianz Technology
March 26th, 11:15 – 11:45 am
Productionizing LLMs: How Generative AI Digitalized the Customer Service at Lufthansa
Dr. Keyvan Sadri, Senior Manager in Data Science | Lufthansa
March 26th, 11:45 – 12:15 am
Automating Rule Extraction with Ontology Driven LLMs
As data complexity increases, automating data quality checks becomes critical. This presentation outlines an ontology-driven workflow leveraging LLMs to automate the extraction and management of data quality checks. We extract rules from guiding documents, convert them into triples through in-context learning, generate checks using multiple LLM instances, and validate them in a knowledge graph to ensure consistency. This approach reduces manual effort and enhances overall data governance.
Zornitsa Manolova, Head of Data Quality Management & Data Science | GLEIF
Yener Karaca, Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation | GLEIF
March 26th, 12:15 – 12:45 am
Data cleansing - a never-ending story?
“Garbage in, garbage out” is a common saying by Data Scientists. Motivated by Andrew Ng’s research on data quality, we want to share best practices that you can employ towards better data. Focusing on one of the most complex harmonization challenges – customer records – we illustrate how Artificial Intelligence can facilitate the creation of a transparent end-to-end customer view.
Christoph Schatton, Head of AI Engineering Solutions and Portfolio | Merck Life Science KGaA
March 26th, 2:15 – 2:45 pm
Panel: Navigating the Future: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges in Emerging Technologies
In this panel discussion, the festival’s headliners will discuss current trends and developments in general and with regard to the opportunities and challenges in their own technology.
March 26th, 2:45 – 3:15 pm
Designing Data Pipelines for AI-Driven Applications
This talk explores best practices for designing data pipelines tailored to AI applications. We’ll examine key architectural considerations, including cloud-native technologies, data mesh principles, and DataOps methodologies. The discussion will cover strategies for handling large-scale, diverse datasets, efficient data ingestion, cleaning, and feature engineering. We’ll also explore how AI can optimize pipeline performance and automate data quality checks. Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain practical insights on implementing robust data pipelines that power cutting-edge AI-driven applications.
Shawn Kyzer, Assoc. Director Data Engineering, Research | AstraZeneca
Shawn is passionate about harnessing the power of data engineering, strategy, and analytics in order to help businesses uncover new opportunities. As an innovative technologist with over 15 years of experience, Shawn removes technology as a barrier and broadens the art of the possible for business and product leaders. His holistic view of technology and emphasis on developing and motivating strong engineering talent, with a focus on delivering outcomes whilst minimising outputs, is one of the characteristics which sets him apart from the crowd.
March 26th, 3:15 – 3:45 pm
Data-Driven Architecture: Navigating Data and AI Transformation
Nailya Uzhakova, Digitalization Manager | DHL
Nailya Uzhakova, a Digitalization Manager at DHL Group and doctoral candidate at the University of Lübeck’s Institute of Telematics. With more than a decade of experience in Digital, Data and AI Transformations, she has cultivated a robust cross-industry expertise in developing and implementing Data-Driven Transformation strategies. Balancing her academic pursuits with professional background, Nailya strives to provide valuable insights to organizations seeking to embark on similar transformative journeys.
March 26th, 4:15 am – 4:45 pm
AI Act Panel: wAIt no more: Unpacking the AI Act's Impact on Innovation, Compliance, and the Future of AI
This panel dives into the transformative AI Act, examining its potential to reshape the AI landscape in Europe and beyond. Experts will discuss compliance challenges, innovation opportunities, and strategic adaptations to navigate this evolving regulatory framework. Join us to explore how the AI Act could impact businesses, developers, and the future of responsible AI innovation.
Moderator:
Julia is working for Big Data & Advanced Analytics at Commerzbank AG. Her daily tasks focus on cloud and machine learning governance principles as well as evaluating and developing strategic directions around these topics. From orchestrating the very first kick-off of European Cloud User Coalition (ECUC) in January 2020 to establishing the joint project agreement, today Julia actively contributes as a member of the ECUC Position Paper workstream and tackles strategic alliances including ECUC membership.
Alexander has been working for the DB Group as an in-house lawyer since 2017 and previously provided legal advice to the DB Group and its affiliated companies in the department of Group Data Protection. After initially playing a key role in the Group-wide implementation of the GDPR in this function, he is now supporting the introduction of the Data Act in the Group as an internal expert and is supporting the establishment of an AI guild as part of the implementation of the AI Act.
Panel speakers:
Kai Zenner is Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser for MEP Axel Voss (European People’s
Party Group) in the European Parliament. Describing himself as a digital enthusiast, he focuses on AI, privacy and the EU’s digital transition. Currently, he is involved in the political
negotiations on the AI Act, AI liability directive, eprivacy Regulation and GDPR revision. In his individual capacity, he is pushing for reforms within the European Parliament and for bringing back the Better Regulation agenda to EU policymaking.
Mr Zenner graduated in political science (M.Sc. at University of Edinburgh, B.A. at University of Bremen) and in law (State Exam at University of Munster). Before moving to the European Parliament, he worked as research associate at the European office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Brussels.
He is member of the OECD.AI Network of Experts and of the AI Governance Alliance from the World Economic Forum. He was also part of the temporary Expert Group that supported the
‘High-Level Advisory Body on AI’ of the United Nations. Zenner was awarded best MEP
Assistant in 2023 (“APA who has gone above and beyond in his duties”) and ranked Place #13
in Politico’s Power 40 – class 2023 (“top influencers who are most effectively setting the agenda in politics, public policy and advocacy in Brussels”).
As long-time Head of Artificial Intelligence at Cariad SE, the central software development company of Volkswagen AG, Jan focused on building up the engineering AI Hub’s in Germany and China. His leadership led to safe and scalable AI solutions in the infotainment and autonomous driving areas. Beyond this, Jan created the AI project Canvas, which is publicized in print and utilized for AI project management around the world. Jan is a member of various Data & AI leadership committees, has given guest lectures at both Oxford University and ESMT Berlin, and his insights shared on “Towards Data Science” have been read several hundred thousand times.
March 26th, 5:30 – 6:00 pm
A critical view on the AI market
Overhyped? Overvalued? What’s next for us in Europe?
Dr. Carsten Bange, Founder & CEO | BARC
Roundtable Sessions
The roundtable sessions provide a collaborative space to discuss your own AI implementation and data utilization facing your companies size, issue or specific industry. Participants will explore challenges, share insights, and discover best practices tailored to their unique needs. These interactive discussions, moderated by our DATA festival Programme Committee Members aim to foster innovation, offer practical strategies, and highlight opportunities for leveraging AI and data to drive business growth.
March 26th, from 7:00 pm
Food, Drinks & Music
The evening event kicks off at 7:00 PM, offering the perfect chance for all attendees, discussion partners, sponsors and experts to come together, enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks, and groove to the tunes of your favourite songs in a clubbing atmosphere. It’s going to be an amazing night! This is set to be an incredible evening, dedicated to sparking conversations, connecting with others and sharing ideas in a welcoming atmosphere that encourages networking and building new relationships! Join us for a night filled with unforgettable interactions and meaningful exchanges – and dancing is allowed, so get ready to let loose! We’re so excited to welcome you! Don´t forget to tell us your favourite party songs at the Ticket Registration!
DAY 2
March 27th, 09:00 – 09:30 am
Opening Keynote: OTTO
Jens Dorn, BI Lead Product Owner | Otto
Jens is an analytical creative and diplomatic catalyst, scaling insight to build tomorrow today. He thrives on uncovering simple solutions to complex problems and rapidly embraces the new, pushing beyond conventional limits. A results-driven leader, Jens balances long-term focus with timely action, fostering team autonomy through clear expectations. Valuing intercultural sensitivity, he connects people, ideas, and knowledge, seeking visionary minds who challenge boundaries to achieve the extraordinary.
March 27th, 09:45 – 10:15 am
Data Culture at heart of data quality
- Foster a mindset of data ownership and accountability throughout the organization, encouraging employees at all levels to take responsibility for the data they create, use, and work with.
- Make data quality an organizational priority and communicate its importance clearly to all stakeholders, from leaders to front-line workers, emphasizing the positive impact it has on processes and decision-making.
- Invest in data literacy training for all employees so they can understand how to work with data effectively and how data quality affects the organization.
- Encourage collaboration and communication across teams and departments to improve data sharing and cross-functional understanding. This helps to ensure that data is consistently accurate and reliable, regardless of where it is generated or used in the organization.
Naveen Gupta, Global Data Development Manager | IKEA Supply AG
Naveen Gupta is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in data management, governance, and analytics. Throughout their career, he has developed a strong expertise in leveraging data to create value for their organizations. Naveen Gupta has specialized in setting up practices for process mining, as well as applying machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive business insights. He has demonstrated passion for bringing business and data together, helping stakeholders across the organization understand complex data-related topics. With a track record for creating value out of data, Naveen Gupta remains dedicated to ensuring that data remains a key asset for any organization seeking to gain a competitive advantage.
March 27th, 10:15 am – 10:45 pm
Democratizing data with self service data products
This presentation will cover how organizations can treat data as products to make it easier for downstream teams to access data, either for machine learning / AI algorithms or querying it for a particular purpose. The idea is to apply all the best practices of product management to datasets, to democratize data usage and to see reduction in over-reliance on data engineering, thus giving teams the ability to act on data in real-time, improving agility and responsiveness.
Yogender Chhibber, Senior Product Manager | TWAICE I am a product professional with 15 years of experience in building data & analytics products. I have a proven track record in developing and launching innovative products that deliver exceptional user experiences and drive business growth. Currently, I am working as a senior product manager for data platforms, with TWAICE, which is a leading provider of battery analytics software. Previously, I have worked for organizations such as Tellius, Thoucentric Technologies, EY and Zinnov.
March 27th, 10:45 – 11:15 am
Value Driven Approaches to Data Quality
- Data quality isn’t a binary concept of good or bad: how we consider data users and purpose in assessing data quality.
- Not all data is equally valuable or important: how we identify opportunities and align data quality approaches with business impact Shifting focus from ‘perfect data’ to ‘good-enough’ data: employing strategic communication and agile principles for shifting mindsets.
Amy Bulman, Senior Data Governance Expert | Carl Zeiss AG
March 27th, 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
From Fake it to Success: BSH Breakthroughs in Data Organization, Data Management, Data Product Strategies
Maria Sergeeva, Product Manager of Data Management Team | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Maria Sergeeva has an academic background in Optical Physics from Bauman Moscow State University in Russia and holds an MSc in Photonics from Hochschule Aalen in Germany. She began her career with three years in R&D before transitioning to a five-year tenure as an SAP Consultant in Germany, specializing in SAP BW, SAP BCS, and Reporting. Since 2024, she has been driving analytics at BSH, including leading the global rollout of Process Mining with Celonis. Following a 2.5-year stint in IT Audit at BSH, she returned to Analytics in 2022 as a Product Manager. Currently, she heads the Global Data Management Group at BSH, focusing on governance, policies, data products, and data reliability to enhance data management and analytics across the organization.
Marek Imialek, Lead Analytics Architect | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
From the world of software applications and backend development, I ventured into engineering and architecting location referencing, cloud, and streaming solutions. Along the way, I honed my skills in tuning distributed systems and leading large-scale operations. As I delved into analytics solutions, I found myself leading as the architect in the analytics department of BSH, co-driving the data strategy for the company. Throughout this journey, I worked with diverse data types, from live animal data and publication metadata to location data, car sensor data, and appliance data, which only served to deepen my passion for data. This passion has become my driving force, always fueled by the incredible people around me.
March 27th, 2:45 – 3:15 pm
Reflecting on Two Years of ChatGPT: Have the Expectations Been Fulfilled?
Maria Sukhareva, Senior Key Expert in Artificial Intelligence | SIEMENS AG I am a product professional with 15 years of experience in building data & analytics products. I have a proven track record in developing and launching innovative products that deliver exceptional user experiences and drive business growth. Currently, I am working as a senior product manager for data platforms, with TWAICE, which is a leading provider of battery analytics software. Previously, I have worked for organizations such as Tellius, Thoucentric Technologies, EY and Zinnov.
March 27th, 3:15 – 3:45 pm
Recipes for measuring and creating value with D&A
Show examples of data monetization. Strategies for creating and measuring value in your company
Mario DeFelipe, Chief Innovation & Transformation Officer | GRUPO ASV
Mario De Felipe is a Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Master in Knowledge Management and Business Intelligence from the University of Alcalá de Hernares, Financial Management from the Foundation for Stock Market and Financial Studies, PDP Artificial Intelligence from the International University of La Rioja, Master in Artificial Intelligence from the Institute of Artificial Intelligence. He has developed his professional career in the world of consulting, leading projects for the implementation and design of Business Intelligence, Electronic Commerce, Document Management and Web Technologies systems in companies in very diverse sectors. He teaches Business Intelligence, Big Data, Business Analytics and Data Science classes at business schools and universities and has published articles in the economic and financial press. He is currently Director of Innovation and Transformation at GRUPO ASV. He was awarded in 2014, 2020, 2023 and 2024 as a Qlik Luminary and in 2022 as a Qlik Academic Ambassador, recognitions granted by the Business Intelligence software manufacturer Qlik to the world’s leading experts.
March 27th, 3:45 – 4:15 pm
Generative AI @ Scale for Enterprises
At Merck, we have successfully rolled out and scaled GenAI to 25K+ employees, including business consumers and citizen developers. Our strategy, approach, technological insights, and key learnings will be presented. Audiences can benefit from how a similar approach can be applied to adopt and scale (Gen)AI for enterprises of similar nature and scale.
Dr. Harsha Gurulingappa, Global Head of AI & ML Practice | Merck Group
With a career spanning over 15 years, I am a seasoned professional with extensive experience in research and industry related to applying Natural Language Processing (NLP) and the constituents of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Healthcare and Life Science domains. As the current Head of AI & Machine Learning Practice at Merck, my responsibilities encompass leading the strategy, implementation, and evolution of technological capabilities, empowering business functions to drive impact by harnessing technologies and best practices around AI/ML/NLP. My experience and groundedness in this field positions me to drive transformative innovation and spearhead data-driven decision-making initiatives.
March 27th, 4:15 – 4:20 pm
Closing
Carsten and Alex will look back on some exciting past two days fully packed with Best Practices, Technologies, Workshops and a lot of Discussions and Exchange at this years DATA festival #Munich.
Dr. Carsten Bange, Founder & CEO | BARC & Alexander Thamm, Founder & CEO | Alexander Thamm GmbH
Carsten is CEO and founder of BARC, an organisation specializing in independent research and advisory as well as events in the data & analytics market. Alex is CEO and founder of Alexander Thamm GmbH, one of the leading providers of data science and artificial intelligence in the German-speaking region.
Togehter they founded the DATA festival in 2017, envisioning an engaging community and innovative event platform around the topics of Data, Analytics & AI.
festival.stage
festival.stage
The festival.stage highlights cutting-edge data and AI technologies from our sponsors, featuring practical success examples. Sponsors bring their customers to demonstrate how these innovations optimize daily operations and drive profitability. It’s a dynamic platform for exploring the latest advancements, networking, and discovering impactful solutions in data and AI.
More Information on this Agenda coming soon! – Stay tuned
tech.stage
AI4Good
In an era defined by technological advancements, the “AI for Good” track at this years DATA festival aims to spotlight the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in addressing societal challenges. This track will showcase innovative applications of AI that contribute to positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. From healthcare and education to sustainability and humanitarian efforts, different speakers will delve into their real-world examples of how AI technologies are being leveraged to create meaningful change. Attendees can expect insightful discussions on ethical considerations, responsible AI practices, and collaborative approaches to ensure that AI becomes a force for good. Join us on the tech.stage to explore the boundless possibilities of AI for fostering a better, more inclusive future.
March 26th, 10:45 am – 11:15 pm
Harnessing AI for a Better World: An Introduction to AI4Good and How Enterprises Can Help Drive Positive Change
Join us as we kick off the AI4Good track, a journey through the transformative potential of AI in addressing humanity’s most urgent challenges. In this introductory talk, Dr. Paul Springer will demystify the concept of “AI4Good” and will introduce subsequent talks which will illuminate its profound impact, from tackling environmental crises to enhancing mental health support. Discover how artificial intelligence is being wielded as a force for good—enabling sustainable practices, bridging accessibility gaps, and empowering people worldwide and in Germany in particular. Finally, Dr. Springer will share actionable insights on how enterprises can contribute to and collaborate with the AI4Good movement, unlocking a new path to social responsibility that benefits both society and business. This talk is for those ready to explore how AI can be a powerful ally in building a brighter, more inclusive future. Don’t miss this chance to see how you, too, can drive positive change through the power of AI.
Dr. Paul Springer, Co-Founder & Managing Director | Mi4People
Dr. Paul Springer is a theoretical physicist who turned AI4Good advocate, with a deep-rooted passion for harnessing technology to make a meaningful impact. After a career in management and IT consulting within the financial sector, Dr. Springer pivoted to pursue his commitment to AI for public good. He co-founded MI4People gGmbH, a groundbreaking nonprofit where he serves as Managing Director. At MI4People, Dr. Springer leads a community of dedicated AI-experts who innovates open-source, free AI solutions to tackle some of the world’s toughest humanitarian, social and environmental challenges. As a speaker, Dr. Springer is known for his engaging insights into how AI can transform society, empowering others to join the AI4Good movement and drive change.
March 26th, 11:15 – 11:45 am
Ocean Eyes: Harnessing AI to Combat Plastic Pollution
Every year, an alarming amount of plastic enters our oceans, posing severe threats to marine life, the environment, and global economies. While some organizations successfully collect waste along rivers, the vast open ocean remains largely untouched. Our project leverages the power of Artificial Intelligence to analyze satellite images and accurately detect plastic waste accumulations. Through a free online tool, we provide an interactive map updated every 2-5 days, enabling NGOs, NPOs, and companies to target cleanup efforts more effectively. Additionally, we are exploring applications such as determining optimal locations for recycling facilities in collaboration with “Free the Sea.” Together, we aim to restore our oceans—data-driven and accessible to all.
Dr. Denis Dalić, Technical Project Manager | Mi4People
Dr. Denis Dalić is a passionate researcher, data scientist and AI expert with a Ph.D. in Bioinformatics. His education and experience have given him expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, complemented by a foundation in software and hardware solutions. This combination enables him to drive innovative problem solving in healthcare. As the technical project manager, he brings his expertise to MI4People’s projects, managing all current and future projects to scale their impact and drive meaningful change.
March 26th, 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
AI4Good
Dr. Christoph Tholen | DFKI4Planet Initiative
March 26th, 12:15 – 12:45 pm
RAG for an Easy-to-Understand Language
RentenNavi is a messenger-first AI application designed to address pension-related topics for retirees. One of the key challenges in capturing the interest of this target group lies in the application’s ability to provide simple, straightforward answers to questions that are not clearly defined—within a field often associated with complex and technical explanations. A central question for our startup team is: How can a RAG-based application be designed to deliver answers in plain, easy-to-understand language?
Woldemar Metzler, Co-Founder | RentenNavi
Woldemar is a serial entrepreneur with a particular focus on socially responsible concepts. During his studies in business administration, entrepreneurship, and analytical philosophy, he developed a passion for creating innovative applications and building businesses. At the startup “RentenNavi”, Woldemar combines his knowledge in application development, language models, and data utilization to simplify the transition for soon-to-be retirees into a new chapter of life.
Newcomer on stage
In this dynamic age defined by the rapid advancement of AI, startups have emerged as essential players in the technological landscape. It is therefore paramount for us to provide a platform where these innovators can shine. Enter the cutting-edge realm of the tech.stage, where groundbreaking ideas and advancements take center stage.
March 26th, 5:30 – 6:00 pm
Carl Zeiss
| #Career @ Carl Zeiss AG
Don’t miss out on this unmissable session with our Career Sponsor, Carl Zeiss. Find out about the exciting career opportunities they have to offer. Discover how their team uses cutting-edge data and AI technologies to drive innovation. Get a behind-the-scenes look at their latest projects and discover what it’s like to be part of a forward-thinking, tech-driven environment.
DAY 2
Tech Deep Dives
In this session, you’ll gain hands-on insights into practical tech solutions, exploring the code behind impactful use cases. Get ready to dive into detailed examples and sharpen your technical expertise!
March 27th, 10:15 – 11:15 am
Solving data residency problems with Airflow and AWS ECS Anywhere
Ivica Kolenkaš, Data platform lead | bestseller.com
Ivica is a cloud engineer mixed with a software developer, passionate about Python and infrastructure-as-code. A problem solver with a firm belief that not every problem is a tech problem.
March 27th, 11:45 am – 1:15 am
Level-Up Your GenAI Application Development
Elliot Kovanda, Data Scientist | Commerzbank AG
After completing an MSc in Operational Research with Data Science at Edinburgh University, Elliot Kovanda joined Commerzbank in 2021. He has since led Commerzbank’s first LLM Innovation Initiative and is currently a Data Scientist in Commerzbank’s GenAI Division. Elliot is also a member of the bank’s AI Strategy Team. Previously, Elliot represented the Big Data and Advanced Analytics Key Area in the bank’s Millennial Board, advising the CRO and Executives on cultural and strategic matters.
March 27th, 2:45 – 4:15 pm
Using AI for Legal Form Detection - Leveraging the LEI Data
Our presentation introduces LENU, an open-source AI tool developed by GLEIF and Sociovestix Labs, that assigns standardized Entity Legal Form (ELF) codes to entities based solely on their names and jurisdictions. Trained using the freely available Legal Entity Identifer (LEI) data and Hugging Face base models, LENU leverages transformer technology. We will showcase the development process, from concept to implementation, and highlight the benefits of standardized data for organizations globally.
Dominik Jany, Senior Data Scientist | GLEIF
Dominik is a Senior Data Scientist at the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF). His focus is on ensuring the highest possible data quality in the Global LEI System. In this role, he helps establish best practices based on the latest developments in data standardization and data science. Before joining GLEIF, he gained experience in business development and forensic technology solutions. He holds a master’s degree in Computational Sciences from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz.
Zornitsa Manolova, Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation | GLEIF
Since April 2018, Zornitsa leads a team of Data Scientists at GLEIF, where she improved the organization’s data quality and governance. Before GLEIF, she managed international forensic data analytics projects at PwC Forensics, focusing on complex name-matching challenges and financial investigations, gaining expertise in large-scale, cross-border data issues. She holds a German Diploma in Computer Science with a focus on Machine Learning from Philipps University in Marburg.
Any questions? Contact us!
