DLD25 Preview: Speakers & Topics
DLD Munich is bigger than ever, with special tracks about AI, nature and exponential technologies. Find out who’s speaking and what to expect when you join us from January 16-18, 2025.
From its humble beginnings as a “Digital Lifestyle Day” in 2005, DLD has evolved into one of the most popular innovation conferences in the world – a gathering unlike any other, where artists, creatives and startup founders share the stage with corporate leaders, investors, scientists, politicians and Nobel Prize winners.
During coffee breaks, everybody meets everybody, because “Connect the unexpected” has been our motto from day one. As DLD celebrates its 20th anniversary, the conference will be bigger than ever, with almost 200 speakers on two stages, multiple side events, and more than 1,500 attendees from all over the world.
We’ll start on Thursday, January 16, early in the morning and will end on Saturday, January 18, in the afternoon – with enough time for attendees of the World Economic Forum to travel to Davos, right after DLD25 crosses the finish line.
While the program will continue to take shape right until we kick off the conference, we can give you a sneak peek at speakers and topic clusters, so that you’ll know what to expect. For program updates and ticket applications please check our conference website, and please note that all information in this preview article is subject to change without notice.
Future Positive
A world of challenges is also a world of opportunities. If we collectively make the right choices now, tomorrow’s world can be cleaner, healthier, more peaceful and more prosperous for all of us – that’s why we picked “Future Positive” as the motto of DLD25.
We’re devoting three tracks with multiple sessions to key topics that are shaping our future: AI, sustainability, and the exponential progress we’re witnessing in many areas of science and business, from biotechnology to clean energy, quantum computing and material science.
In addition, we’ll highlight Europe’s innovation economy, global security, best practices in digital transformation and corporate leadership, the international business and investment landscape, as well as the latest trends in arts, culture and entertainment. In other words: the unique mix you’ll only find at DLD.
Let’s take a look at a sample of speakers and topics. For the full list, please check our conference page, as we cannot do justice all of our great speakers in this brief overview.
The State of AI
Artificial Intelligence may well be the key technology of the current decade. As AI is reinventing work and life in the digital age yet again, new companies and business models are born, and Bavaria is shaping up as the place to be in Germany for those driving progress in universities or developing new applications in startups and established companies.
For DLD25, we’re partnering with the Bavarian AI Network BAIOSPHERE to highlight the latest developments in AI – in Bavaria and around the world.
Technology & Society
From the impact of social media on democracy to the automation of work, regulating tech giants and infusing technology with a touch of humanity: Some of the world’s leading experts from business, science and politics will weigh in on such issues that are vital to our personal freedoms, privacy, and equality in liberal democracies.
Europe’s Innovation Economy
Can the Old Continent successfully reinvent itself? Where’s the sweet spot between regulation and innovation? Which frontier technologies could become a competitive advantage for Europe? At DLD25, big names from politics, business and investing weigh in.
Nature Positive
It’s smarter to do business in harmony with people and our planet, as our recent DLD Nature conference showed. We’ll build on these insights and go deeper at DLD Munich 2025, with a broad range of experts sharing their expertise in sustainability, green cities, mitigating the effects of climate change, investing in nature, and more.
DLD20s
We want to connect the pioneers and architects of the digital age with the trailblazers of tomorrow. That’s why we are launching DLD20s, a platform that highlights positive disruptors, innovators and visionaries in their 20s. Make sure to look out for them at the conference!
AI In Action
Can Artificial Intelligence fulfill its promise? How do companies successfully implement the groundbreaking technology? Where will AI go next?
Exponential Progress
If you feel like the world is speeding up, that’s because it is. Author Azeem Azhar has been chronicling the rapid progress in many fields of science and business in his highly successful newsletter Exponential View, and for DLD25, Azeem has curated an entire track of sessions – which notably cut across different, yet deeply connected topics.
Arts, Media & Culture
We can’t imagine a positive future without the creative genius of artists producing beautiful music, paintings or designs. Their works shape our cultural landscape and cross over into business when brands pick up on trends that resonate with their customers. Naturally, we need fun and entertainment as well – often produced by great artists. At DLD25, you’ll get to hear about all aspects of this diverse ecosystem.
Quantum Progress
The next age of computing may well be powered by quantum computers and “wetware” – chips based on biological components. Our DLD25 expert speakers will analyze the potential consequences for AI, business applications, and cybersecurity.
Health & Wellbeing
Technological progress has revolutionized the field of medicine, and barely a day goes by without new scientific discoveries that promise us a longer, healthier life. Join us at DLD25 to hear about some of the most exciting developments in this vital field of research.
