Digital X 2022 is not like any other trade fair. Workshops in laundrettes, keynote speeches at the hairdresser or networking in the pub. Digital X is colourful and diverse - just like digitalization itself. Visitors were able to experience this live in Cologne city center on September 13 and 14. Sabine from the PASSION4IT team was also there. Here are some impressions from the two-day mega-event, as well as some memorable impulses from presentations.
Cologne as a digital experience location
The World Exhibition of Digitization took place in Cologne for the fourth time. Instead of a large exhibition hall, Deutsche Telekom, the organizer of the event, brought out other guns. The mobile communications provider rented an area of over 2 million square meters in parts of Cologne's city centre.
Visitors were able to find out about current trends and future developments on a wide range of digitalization topics on numerous stages and in the surroundings of Cologne's trendy gastronomy. From new digital business models and technologies, AI, digital work, mobility, sustainability and cyber security, there was something for everyone. Food and drink and, last but not least, mobility were also provided - anywhere and at any time.
Around 70,000 people attended the event over the two days. Bicycles, rickshaws, buses and free cabs were available to visitors for easy transportation. Those who were unable to travel had the opportunity to follow the presentations on the stages digitally via an app, so that the hybrid event could be used both physically and as a virtual event.
Top-class speakers and presentations that "shake things up"
In addition to speakers from smaller companies and start-ups, a very high-caliber mix of speakers was represented on the 6 stages of Digital X on both days of the event. Some CEOs of large corporations as well as celebrities, such as Apple founder Steve Wozniak and journalist Dr. Claus Kleber on the first day and investor Frank Thelen, author Frank Schätzing and Hollywood actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba on the second day. The rock band Muse and numerous regional bands rounded off the evening program. The main focus, however, was on around 300 presentations designed to shake things up...
"Do NOT be a frog!" - Harsh words and an urgent appeal to German companies
The Digital X was opened by Michelle Hunziker on the main stage in Cologne's Mediapark and moderated throughout both days. Hagen Rickmann, Managing Director of Telekom Deutschland GmbH, first welcomed the guests who had come to the Inspiration Stage before handing over to his colleague, the CEO of Deutsche Telekom Tim Höttges.
In a powerful speech, Höttges warned that Germany was already being left behind in many areas in international comparison. More innovative strength and courage are needed - both from the government and from companies. For SMEs in particular, it is not enough to rest on the status quo and the past. Höttges compared the German economy to a frog. If you put a frog in a pot of warm water and heat it slowly, the frog will scald to death. This is our economy if we don't jump out of the current situation now and actively contribute to our future, which primarily includes digitalization and breaking old patterns.
We need poets, thinkers, digitalization
Germany is in penultimate place in the digitalization ranking. This is according to the Digital Rise Report 2021. Lithuania and Poland have improved the most in the areas of ecosystem and mindset, while Germany performs worst in the area of ecosystem. Lithuania's good ranking is due to the fact that the government is striving to create an attractive environment for talented professionals from abroad and has launched various initiatives to this end.
Digitization is an alarming example of how German industry is falling behind internationally. "Germany needs poets, thinkers and digitalization," says Höttges. This requires reforms at our schools and universities. In addition, SMEs in particular must become more attractive for skilled workers - this can be achieved through digital transformation. It's not about blaming others and shifting responsibility. This is where the first problems begin. Companies that are waiting for our government's impetus here are also waiting on the platform for the next cruise ship.
