What is the AI World Café about?
At the AI World Café, participants engage in small, interactive groups to discuss specific AI research topics. Each table covers a different topic, and participants rotate between tables, giving everyone the chance to share ideas, explore multiple topics, and connect with peers in an interactive setting.

The format has already proven its value across previous editions. At HAICON24, the inaugural format sparked lively, cross-disciplinary discussions, while HAICON25 brought together diverse participants across 11 discussion tables, leading to valuable insights and new collaborations. Curious to see how they looked? Explore the discussion table reports from Edition 2024 and Edition 2025.

In 2026, the AI World Café will already enter its third edition, continuing to grow as a key space for open dialogue and collaboration:

Participating in the AI World Café, you will:

  • Engage in meaningful discussions on cutting-edge AI topics;

  • Expand your network within the Helmholtz AI community and beyond;

  • Gain new perspectives and insights to advance your research;

  • Shape the future of AI by contributing to innovative conversations.

Whether you’re looking to share your expertise or learn from others, the AI World Café is the perfect platform.

Be a topic contributor

Each year, all participants have the opportunity to propose and lead a discussion topic at the AI World Café. Typically, as a host, you will:

  • Select an engaging topic related to AI research, applications, or challenges.

  • Facilitate three 20-minute discussion rounds, guiding participants through key questions and ideas.

  • You are welcome to bring a poster to introduce your topic to the group. Please note that this should not be a classical scientific poster, but rather a visual that highlights your guiding question and key starting points for discussion.

  • Document key insights from your session to contribute to a collective summary of the event.