Dear members of the AI ​​focus group!

On Monday, June 8, 2026, our monthly meeting of the AI ​​focus group of the digitalHUB Aachen took place – and once again, the turnout was impressive. Initially, we were a little surprised because the printed participant list only showed about 35 people. However, this turned out to be a technical issue: in the end, we had over 60 participants – so many that even the blank name badges filled out by hand weren't enough. First-world problems, indeed! 😉

The subsequent networking over pizza and cold drinks was correspondingly lively, lasting well past 8 p.m. this time.

The following is a summary of the meeting's key points "in text form": (You can find the meeting's Miro board with details here – password "FGKIAachen")

Focus group visits the Chamber of Skilled Crafts / “machbar” Together with Marc Schnitzler from the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, we would like to organize another event in our series “Focus group visits…”. A visit to the newly established “machbar” is planned.

The brief insight into how much AI already influences the skilled trades today – and what can be expected in the coming years – met with great interest.

Please vote for one of the offered dates using the following link:  https://nuudel.digitalcourage.de/sjjZy79QoZ8IR9FU 

AI Tool/Tip of the Month – Alternatives to WisprFlow: Stefan Kirch briefly presented some alternatives to WisprFlow. The goal was to find a way to reliably transcribe speech input in a way that is as local and confidential as possible, thereby reducing keyboard input in everyday life.

Among the solutions presented were TypeWhisper, Whispering, and OpenWhisper. Whispering, in particular, fulfills almost all requirements and wishes – and can noticeably simplify everyday work.

Supplementary presentation: People, language models and tokens. Originally announced as a "counter-presentation", Hartmut Roebke's contribution developed into more of a supplementary presentation during the more intensive preparation.

Hartmut elaborated on some of the specific features of the previously discussed perspective, thereby helping to develop an even better understanding of it. The presentation materials will be provided later.

Keynote address: Cyber ​​Resilience Act. Dieter Froning gave a very clear and comprehensive overview of the Cyber ​​Resilience Act. Many were likely surprised to learn that important parts of it are already in effect and that a large proportion of the participants will be directly or indirectly affected.

Thank you so much for this great, entertaining and – despite the serious topic – surprisingly unfrustrating presentation ;-)

New Focus Group “Robotics & Automation”: Amine Kharrat introduced the new focus group “Robotics & Automation” as its spokesperson. There are certainly many overlaps in content with our AI topics – accordingly, we welcome exchange, participation, and collaboration.

You can find more information here:  https://platform.aachen.digital/groups/fokusgruppe-robotics-automation/RJ2KzLaxmo 

News from the specialist groups

The AI ​​Events working group's landing page, specifically developed for AI events in the region, is now online and can be used to post new events:  https://ki-events.info/ 

Furthermore, current AI events from the Aachen area were presented as usual. You can find more details on the Miro board.

Steffi Jansen presented the new working group "AI, Culture & Transformation." Several interested individuals have already joined, and a promising first meeting has taken place. More details will follow next time.

Speaker call from digitalHUB: Anna reminded everyone of the digitalHUB's call for applications to be speakers for various AI events and topics.

Anyone interested can find the form here:  https://forms.hubaachen.de/zs/OVD6NW 

The evening concluded with pizza and drinks. Given the large number of participants, the subsequent networking was particularly lively this time – and, as mentioned earlier, lasted well past 8 p.m. Over pizza and cold drinks, the topics of the evening were discussed in detail.

A heartfelt thank you goes once again to digitalHUB Aachen and EDIH for their sponsorship.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening with excellent presentations, engaging discussions, and once again, fantastic participation. Thank you all for joining us!

The next meeting will be on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the digitalHUB Aachen. Further details will follow in the invitation.

If you have ideas for a post in the section “What I did with AI last month” or for the “Tool/Tip of the Month” – please get in touch!

That's all for now.

We are delighted by how lively, diverse and practical the focus group has become – and how many impulses are now also emerging from the specialist groups and related subject areas.

See you again – at the latest on July 13th in the digitalHUB!

Stefan and Alex