Almost 600 entrepreneurs in one place. Not for another hype talk about the future of artificial intelligence, but to show each other what already works today. The “KI to Go” day at the Cologne Chamber of Commerce (IHK Köln) at Smart Village was exactly that: practice instead of PowerPoint, use cases instead of buzzwords.
Why “KI to Go” Is Different From Most AI Events
Anyone who’s been to AI events in recent months knows the pattern: big stage, big promises, little to take home. The KI to Go day at IHK Köln deliberately breaks with this format. There are no external consultants on stage playing out theoretical scenarios. Instead, entrepreneurs from the region show other businesses how they use AI in their daily operations… including all the stumbling blocks along the way.
It’s precisely this openness that makes the difference. When someone honestly shares where their AI implementation hit snags and what the solution ultimately looked like, that’s worth more than any keynote about “the future of work.”
Real AI Use Cases Instead of Empty Promises
What businesses need right now isn’t more headlines about how AI will change everything. It’s concrete answers to a simple question: Where do I start and what do I deliberately leave out?
One participant put it perfectly in the official IHK video: less time wasted, more room for what’s meaningful. That captures the essence of this event. The companies at the KI to Go day didn’t go home with a vague sense that “AI is important.” They left with concrete ideas they could implement the following Monday.
KI-Kompass: A Playful Path to AI Strategy
I had the opportunity to present my KI-Kompass at the KI to Go day. A card game format I developed specifically for companies that want to not just understand AI, but strategically assess it. The KI-Kompass deliberately works differently from a traditional workshop: everyone in the room collaborates, discusses, and playfully develops an AI strategy tailored to their business.
What this event confirmed once again: the need for orientation is enormous. The tools are there. What’s missing is a framework that helps make the right decisions. That’s exactly what the KI-Kompass is for.
Volunteer Engagement That Drives Business Forward
What many don’t know: the KI to Go day isn’t a top-down program. It grew out of volunteer work within the Digital and Innovation Committee of IHK Köln. Entrepreneurs investing their time because they’re convinced that Cologne as a business hub cannot afford to sit on the sidelines when it comes to AI.
As a member of the IHK General Assembly and the Digital and Innovation Committee, this makes me particularly proud. When volunteer engagement turns into an event with almost 600 participants, it shows that business doesn’t want to wait. It wants to act.
The Venue: Smart Village Cologne
One detail that contributed to the event’s success: the venue. Smart Village in Cologne was the perfect setting for an event centered on innovation and real-world application. The facilities, the atmosphere, the opportunity to network during breaks… all of it helped make the day not just informative but truly inspiring.
The Official IHK Video: The Vibes of the Day in Two Minutes
IHK Köln has now released a video that captures the energy of the KI to Go day. Authentic voices, genuine enthusiasm, professionally edited. For anyone who couldn’t attend, it provides an excellent impression of what made this day special in just a few minutes.
Conclusion: This Is What Business Development Looks Like in 2026
The KI to Go day at IHK Köln was a model for how business can move forward in 2026 with real use cases, an open culture around mistakes, and the courage to simply try things out. Less hesitation, more doing. Less theory, more practice.
Thank you to the entire organizing team and everyone who made this day possible.
Until next time.
Would you like to use the KI-Kompass in your company or at your event? Get in touch. I look forward to the conversation.
About the author: Prof. Michael Schwertel is a Professor of Media Management and Digitalization at CBS International Business School in Cologne, an AI keynote speaker, and a member of the IHK Köln General Assembly. He helps businesses leverage artificial intelligence strategically through keynotes, workshops and the KI-Kompass.
