Executive Summary
- The KI.NRW project KI‑Navi Handel hosts three hybrid Digi.Dienstage sessions on 13, 20 and 27 October 2026.
- Topics: practical experiences from pilot projects; back‑office automation with n8n; AI avatars and intelligent video analysis for loss prevention.
- Each session on Tuesday, 09:00–10:00; participation online or at Handelsverband NRW – Rheinland in Düsseldorf; free of charge, registration requested.
What happened?
The KI.NRW flagship project KI‑Navi Handel is running three editions of the Digi.Dienstage series on 13, 20 and 27 October 2026, organized by the Digitalcoaches NRW. The Digitalcoaches NRW are part of the Handelsverband Nordrhein‑Westfalen. The events take place in a hybrid format; interested parties can join online or attend in person at Handelsverband NRW – Rheinland (Kaiserstraße 42a, 40479 Düsseldorf). All dates are scheduled on Tuesdays from 09:00 to 10:00.
The three compact sessions cover the following topics in sequence: “KI‑Navi Handel in Practice – Experiences from Real Pilot Projects” (13 October), in which consortium lead Frank Rehme presents practical experiences and discusses opportunities to participate in the project; “Intelligently Automating Back‑Office Processes – Less Effort with n8n” (20 October), including a case report using the motorcycle travel provider Motorrad Wegner; and “AI Avatars and Theft Prevention – Innovative Tools for Everyday Retail” (27 October), which deals with AI‑powered chatbots for customer outreach and intelligent video analysis for loss prevention. The events are free of charge; registration is requested.
Why does it matter?
The sessions provide a compact, practice‑oriented look at concrete application areas of AI in retail. By presenting real pilot projects and concrete tool examples (n8n, chatbots, video analysis), the events help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and operational implementation. For decision‑makers in retail, it is relevant that the formats present both participation and implementation options: from information to joining pilots to reports on concrete automation examples.
The hybrid format and one‑hour structure make the offerings time‑efficient and accessible, particularly for small and mid‑sized retail companies with limited resources for training and experimentation. The regional tie‑in via the Digitalcoaches of the Handelsverband NRW also signals direct connectivity to local support services.
What does this mean for mid-sized companies?
For small and mid‑sized retail companies in North Rhine‑Westphalia, the sessions offer a low‑threshold way to learn about concrete applications and providers. Topics such as back‑office automation with n8n can indicate how recurring administrative tasks can be accelerated without large IT projects. Case reports on pilot projects show possible steps to pilot your own initiatives. Information on AI avatars and video analysis provides pointers for customer communication and loss prevention that can be evaluated in your operations.
The focus on retail and the regional orientation via the Digitalcoaches limit direct relevance for companies outside the retail sector or outside NRW. Nevertheless, the approaches and tools presented can also serve as inspiration for businesses in other regions and industries to clarify practical questions about implementation, effort and benefit.
Related: AI Readiness Check
Recommendation from Future AI Solutions
We recommend that retail decision‑makers make targeted use of the offer: register for the sessions and choose the dates that match your operational focus (pilot projects, back‑office automation, customer engagement/loss prevention). Prepare concrete questions in advance about resources, integration effort and success indicators to make effective use of the limited time.
Consider testing the demonstrated approaches in small, limited pilots, for example automating specific back‑office steps or a narrowly defined chatbot function for particular customer inquiries. Use the opportunity to speak with the Digitalcoaches or KI‑Navi Handel about local support and participation options. Also review organizational and legal aspects in advance (e.g., operation, data protection and staffing) before deploying AI‑based video analysis or avatars in production.
These steps help translate insights from the Digi.Dienstage into actionable projects and reduce the risk of costly missteps.