ai_init :: May_2026

mai ist für ai

Berlin’s most critical exploration of the machine age. A month-long collision of code, art, and ethics designed to challenge the paradigm shift defining our future.

// 42 Berlin Campus // Hackathons // Keynote Speakers // AI & Ethics Panels // Tech Workshops // Open Source // Networking // 42 Berlin Campus // Hackathons // Keynote Speakers // AI & Ethics Panels // Tech Workshops // Open Source // Networking

Beyond the hype:
a month of critical exploration.

The Berliner: Read the Full Story →

After last year’s success, we are bringing back mAI: a dedicated month-long series exploring the impact, ethics, and innovations defining the age of Artificial Intelligence.

From the code we write to the art we create, AI is shaping our society in paradigm-shifting ways. But with rapid expansion comes the need for nuance. We are bringing together experts, learners, and industry leaders not just to celebrate what is possible, but to ground the conversation in critical thought.

Whether you are coding neural nets or simply curious about the future of human-machine interaction, join us to look deeper.

watch: the mAI experience

Event Series Teaser
42 Berlin Insights
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Mai ist für AI 2026
Kick Off

May 6th, 2026
18:00 CET
42 Berlin Campus

Join us at 42 Berlin for the official opening of mAI ist für AI 2026. We are opening the programme with a conversation on what responsible AI actually requires, bringing together voices from startup leadership, infrastructure, and research.

The opening panel, “The Integrity Stack” asks a timely question: if AI is already embedded in products and decision-making systems, what needs to be in place for it to be trustworthy in practice?

Opening Night Agenda

  • 18:00 Doors Open
  • 18:30 Welcome: The mAI Manifesto
  • 18:40 The Integrity Stack Panel
  • 19:20 Programme Outlook
  • 19:30 Networking
  • 20:00 Performance & Dance
  • 22:00 End of Event

Join the Event

Space is limited for the opening night. Reserve your spot below.

Secure Your Spot Free Registration
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Programme

A month of talks, workshops, and practical entry points.

May 08 10:00 – 16:00

From Prompt to Product

A full-day workshop for anyone who wants to move beyond prompting and understand what AI-assisted programming looks like in practice.

Host: Ingo Eichhorst Reserve Spot
May 19 09:30 – 11:00

ClimateTech x AI Breakfast

A focused event for founders and operators. Cut through generic AI optimism and focus on practical use cases in the climate sector.

Hosts: Urban Impact Reserve Spot
May 20 18:00 – 20:30

Spotlight: AI in Automation

An evening on the reality of AI-powered automation: process engineering, evaluation, scaling, and the messy human side of intelligent systems.

Host: 42 Berlin Reserve Spot
May 21-22 24 Hours

Build What Works Hackathon

No demos for the sake of demos. In 24 hours, build something real that solves an actual problem. The best build wins.

Host: Needle Technologies Reserve Spot
May 27 16:00 – 19:30

GraphRAG & GenAI Workshop

Explore how graph databases can improve Generative AI applications and reduce common challenges such as hallucinations.

Hosts: Zaid Zaim Reserve Spot
May 28 17:30 – 20:30

Closing Night Conversation

We explore what it means to remain thoughtful, autonomous, and creative in an era increasingly shaped by machine intelligence.

Host: 42 Berlin Reserve Spot
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Speakers & Hosts

Dat Ngo
Dat Ngo Dir. AI Solutions, Arize

VP of Strategy at Arize AI, specializing in observability and helping teams transition prototypes to production AI.

Deivids Vilkinsons
Deivids Vilkinsons Founder, HASH

Founder of HASH, developing AI for safety-critical domains, and leads a technical area within ARIA’s Safeguarded AI.

Dominik Campanella
Dominik Campanella CEO, Concular

Innovator driving the circular economy, digitizing construction to reduce carbon by mapping material life cycles.

Harriet von Kügelgen
Harriet von Kügelgen CEO, dauri

CEO of dauri, transforming CO2 reduction into a measurable financial win by bridging energy efficiency and ROI.

Ingo Eichhorst
Ingo Eichhorst AI Architect, IONOS

AI Architect and Engineering Trainer at IONOS with over 15 years of experience. Teaches Machine Learning and GenAI.

Isabella Rossi
Isabella Rossi Founder, MaSí

Helps climate and impact founders build a real path to revenue. Partners with programs to embed practical GTM support and helps founders build real traction.

Michael Bornholdt
Michael Bornholdt AI Architect, Merantix

Specializes in deploying AI within the German public sector, navigating complex governance to move GenAI into production.

Monika Kwiatkowski
Monika Kwiatkowski Researcher, TU Berlin

Doctoral researcher in machine learning at TU Berlin, working on scalable production-grade ML systems for finance.

Philip Eckert
Philipp Eckert Head of Automation, HeyJobs

Product leader driving scalable marketing automation, overseeing integrations, self-service platforms, and data at HeyJobs.

Zaid Zaim
Zaid Zaim Dev Advocate, Neo4j

Microsoft MVP and technology innovator spanning emerging technologies, data architecture, and applied AI in Berlin.

Enjins
Enjins Engineering Partner

Specialized experts turning machine learning theory into production-ready business value for ClimateTech and Mobility.

Urban Impact
Urban Impact Ecosystem Connector

Europe’s leading urban tech advisory, bridging cities, startups, and investors to scale real-world sustainability solutions.

Follow the Programme