Three days of interdisciplinary exchange and engaging discussions in the historic old town of Wittenberg: from March 23–25, 19 students discussed the topic of digital sovereignty and ethics.
How can we act autonomously in the age of AI—as individuals, businesses, and society? This week, 19 interdisciplinary students from across Germany are discussing this topic in Wittenberg. Together with experts from academia and the professional world, we are exploring how digital transformation is reshaping the economy and society—and how digital sovereignty, corporate responsibility, and ethical conduct can be reconciled in the context of global competition.
The diverse program offered a range of perspectives: from fundamental questions of digital sovereignty and the role of ethics, to concrete challenges in corporate responsibility, as well as legal strategies and practical insights from government and business. The discussions also focused on the importance of open source as a key to greater digital independence.
Speakers included Dr. Esther Görnemann (Weizenbaum Institute), Prof. Andreas Suchanek (HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management), Simon Merz (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Dr. Alexander Nossmann (Boston Consulting Group), Christoph Schranz (University of Innsbruck), Tina Siegfried (Dataport AöR), Dr. Daniel Gerber (Open Source Business Alliance – Federal Association for Digital Sovereignty), as well as Dr. Martin von Broock and Dr. Gonzalo Conti. Through interactive formats, including keynote presentations, group work, a speed-networking session, and a simulated multi-stakeholder negotiation, the various dimensions and actors of digital sovereignty and ethics were made tangible and experiential.
In addition to the program’s substantive components, the academy also provided opportunities for personal interaction and shared experiences: a guided tour of the historic old town, as well as group lunches and dinners in Lutherstadt, rounded out the program and fostered dialogue among the participants.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Heinz and Heide Dürr Foundation for its generous support, as well as to all the speakers and participants for the lively and inspiring discussions.