Executive Summary
- On November 9, 2026, a Future Congress on the practical application of AI will take place at Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen.
- Organized by Wirtschaftsförderung Gelsenkirchen as part of the KI Biennale 2026; opening keynote by KI.NRW.
- Program: practical examples, three living labs (city/administration/infrastructure; industry/logistics; human-centered) and an interactive marketplace.
- Participation is free; registration is requested; the target audience is regional companies, public administration, research and infrastructure.
What happened?
Facts: Wirtschaftsförderung Gelsenkirchen is hosting the Future Congress “KI konkret – Erleben. Verstehen. Anwenden.” on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen (Munscheidstraße 14, 45886 Gelsenkirchen). The event takes place within the KI Biennale 2026 of Digital Campus Zollverein. Dr. Christian Temath, managing director of KI.NRW, opens the program with the keynote “AI in mid-sized companies: How Artificial Intelligence is rewriting work and value creation”.
Facts: The congress brings together companies, public administration, research and infrastructure from the region and offers concrete practical examples, including from citizen support, critical infrastructure and professional football. In the afternoon, three living labs deepen the topics of city, administration and infrastructure; industry, logistics and operational excellence; and the human-centered approach. The program is complemented by an interactive marketplace where participants can experience AI projects, get information on funding options and next steps, and network. Participation is free; registration is requested.
Why does it matter?
Context: For decision-makers in mid-sized companies, practical examples and living labs are relevant because they make specific application areas and implementation questions visible. The thematic focus on work and value creation in the opening keynote suggests that the congress will address not only technical aspects but also organizational and economic changes.
Context: The interactive marketplace and information on funding options can be useful for companies planning first steps or looking to scale existing projects. That representatives from business, administration, academia and infrastructure discuss Gelsenkirchen as an AI location in a panel provides insights into regional conditions and potential cooperation partners.
What does this mean for mid-sized companies?
Facts: The congress targets regional stakeholders and demonstrates how AI is already being used in various areas. Participation is free; registration is requested.
Context: Mid-sized companies can derive three concrete benefits: first, low-threshold orientation through practical examples and living labs to identify potential for their own business processes; second, direct information on funding options that can provide planning security for pilot projects; third, networking opportunities with research, administration and infrastructure that can open cooperation paths for living labs or implementation projects.
Context: The focus on application areas such as citizen support, critical infrastructure and sports shows that AI applications are relevant across industries. Decision-makers should therefore consider which internal processes or customer interfaces are suitable for initial pilot projects and which organizational prerequisites (data availability, employee involvement, compliance) are required.
Related: AI Readiness Check
Recommendation from Future AI Solutions
Fact-based recommendation: Consider attending the congress on November 9, 2026, to see practical examples on site, visit living labs and gather funding information. Use the interactive marketplace purposefully to identify specific contacts for potential funding or cooperation projects.
Operational recommendation: Prepare a short list of questions in advance about your current business processes, data availability and concrete application scenarios so that conversations with project providers, universities or funding agencies are focused. Consider bringing those responsible for digitalization or operations and one or two technically responsible employees to cover different perspectives.
Strategic recommendation: Use insights from the living labs to prioritize potential pilot cases and sketch a rough timeline for a proof of concept. Review funding options and cooperation possibilities with research institutions or municipal partners in parallel. Systematically document findings from the congress so decisions about next steps can be made based on facts.
Note: The event is free; registration is requested. Further information and registration are available on the organizers’ event page.