meinGPT – 400 decision-makers from German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 14 companies and institutions on stage, and 12 masterclasses featuring best-practice examples: That’s the summary of this year’s AI Connect, which took place yesterday at the Löwenbräukeller in Munich. Organized by MeinGPT, the Bavarian AI use-case platform for SMEs, the event highlighted the current state of AI adoption in the SME sector and demonstrated how ideas can be translated into efficient applications for everyday work.
“Large companies use AI much more frequently than small and medium-sized enterprises,” says Florian Baader, founder and CEO of MeinGPT. “Closing this gap is crucial. At AI Connect, we demonstrated how this can be achieved: Numerous medium-sized companies shared how they are already successfully using AI to narrow the gap with the ‘big players.’”
AI in Practice: Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Showcase Concrete Use Cases at AI Connect
On the main stage, companies such as the BUHLMANN Group and LAUDA presented their AI projects. Heiko Butz, Head of AI Strategy at the BUHLMANN Group, encouraged the audience to be creative: “Every idea should be brought to life. Quality control and professionalization come later, before scaling.”
Other keynote presentations examined Europe’s AI infrastructure (TensorX) and the current state of AI adoption among German small and medium-sized enterprises (MeinGPT). The morning concluded with a panel discussion titled “Does Europe’s AI Sovereignty Depend on Open-Source Models?” Representatives from Fraunhofer IAIS, T-Systems Switzerland, TensorX, and MeinGPT participated in the panel discussion.
In the afternoon, companies such as Siemens, ZEISS, Intuity, and Sana Kliniken presented specific AI use cases and encouraged the audience to explore new avenues. Michael Konrad, Director of Siemens Xcelerator at Siemens, emphasized how important it is for small and medium-sized businesses to start using AI now to make their day-to-day work easier and avoid becoming dependent on the competition. At the same time, he stressed that “while copilots are already significantly increasing productivity at this point, they have not yet fundamentally changed the way we work.”
“Even so, we shouldn’t wait until AI is perfect. The spots are being redistributed right now—those who take action today have a chance at the best ones,” says Markus Turber, founder of Intuity, encouraging the event’s guests.
Alexandra Wander, Program Manager for Responsible AI at CIT AI, ZEISS, also made it clear that achieving this pace requires interdisciplinary accountability: “Responsible AI is more than just a slogan on a website. Only by practically integrating law, technology, and ethics can we scale AI safely and responsibly within the company.”
MeinGPT is presenting awards in five categories for the first time
Following the masterclasses, AI Connect provided an opportunity for discussion and networking. Former secret agent Leo Martin kicked off the evening program. Afterward, MeinGPT honored small and medium-sized businesses and individuals in five categories for their successful use of AI in their daily work.
The Adoption Award went to the BUHLMANN Group, which rolled out an AI pilot program into full-scale production company-wide. LAUDA was honored with the Loyalty Award: The company got involved in AI early on and played a key role in shaping its development among German small and medium-sized enterprises. The C4B team was named Partner of the Year for its decisive contribution to making AI more accessible to companies. The award for Best Use Case went to GETT Gerätetechnik. The company adapted keyboard layouts for different country versions, saving four to six hours of work per layout. The title of AI Champion was awarded to Jan Müller, Head of the AI and Modern Technologies Department at VOLKSWOHL BUND. In addition, MeinGPT presented 23 Honorable Mentions to “hidden champions” among German SMEs, particularly from the manufacturing, construction, and services sectors. A dinner and live music in the ballroom of the Löwenbräukeller rounded out the day.
Proactive, Human-Centered AI: From Everyday Work to AI Use Cases with the Use-Case-Buddy
On the main stage at AI Connect, a demonstration also showed how AI can proactively engage with people rather than waiting for specific input. With the “Use-Case-Buddy,” MeinGPT presented an AI-powered conversational partner that uses voice dialogue to ask employees about their workflows and aggregates their experiences into a company-wide overview. In conversations lasting about 15 to 20 minutes, the tool identifies specific use cases for AI and provides recommendations for their implementation—ranging from the development of suitable AI assistants to their integration into core processes. This approach is designed to enable employees to actively shape the AI rollout and provide companies with a solid foundation for their AI strategy. The first pilot projects are set to launch in October 2026.
Stephan Le Joins the Management Team
It was also announced at AI Connect that Stephan Le, co-founder and former CPO of MeinGPT, will join the executive team as co-managing director and COO. With this move, the company is strategically positioning its leadership team for the next phase of growth. In his new role, Le will serve as the operational counterpart to Florian Baader, founder and CEO of MeinGPT. While Baader sets the strategic direction and vision, Le will develop processes and structures to support further growth. As CFO, Reiner Conrad will focus on the company’s finances.
Caption/Photo credit: AI Connect. © meinGPT