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Munich, May 21, 2026—Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic for the future. It is already changing how companies work, make decisions, and grow. That is why World of Data (WoD) in Munich on June 11, 2026, will put AI front and center. Bilal Zafar, AI expert, author, and well-known speaker, will kick off the event. With his opening keynote, “Once-in-a-Century Opportunity: AI,” he will set the stage for a full conference day dedicated to data, analytics, and the latest developments in AI.
This year, World of Data 2026 is built around five focus topics that are especially relevant to modern companies right now: Artificial Intelligence (AI), MarTech, Data Strategy, Data Architecture, and Change Management. The program centers on concrete real-world use cases, candid insights, and approaches participants can apply directly.
In his opening keynote, Bilal Zafar will provide an overview of the current state of AI worldwide. He will highlight developments in Silicon Valley, China, and Europe, and show the opportunities and impact AI holds for business, everyday life, medicine, and society.
“AI is a once-in-a-century opportunity if we understand it, assess it properly, and use it wisely,” says Bilal Zafar. “I want to show where AI stands today, which developments companies should be aware of, and why this technology is not only a technical issue, but also a societal one.”
Bilal Zafar’s opening keynote will serve as the entry point into the topic of AI. From there, WoD visitors can dive even deeper. On the AI stage hosted by b.telligent partner Kambria, the focus will be on questions such as: How can AI hype be turned into measurable value? What role do governance and the EU AI Act play? How important is European data sovereignty? Why do so many pilot projects fail? And how can leaders guide their teams effectively through AI transformation? Experts will provide answers based on practical examples and strategies that can be implemented directly.
“We are delighted to have secured Bilal Zafar, a true AI expert, to open this year’s World of Data,” says Kai Kalchthaler, Managing Director of b.telligent, the organizer of World of Data. “Our goal is to make AI tangible and practical. To do that, we focus on concrete examples, clear takeaways, and a view of what companies need today to create real impact with the help of technology.”
World of Data visitors can deepen their new AI knowledge right away and expand it with topics such as change management or data strategy. Here, too, the data conference offers numerous highly relevant presentations as part of its focus topics, featuring innovative and successful corporate projects. In between, there will be plenty of time for discussion, exchange, and networking with new and familiar faces from the data community.
What started in 2014 as the “BI Congress” has since evolved into one of the leading events for data analytics, AI, and consulting in the DACH region. World of Data brings together data professionals, decision-makers, and software manufacturers in one day – dedicated to networking, celebration, and the exchange of trends and best practices in the data industry. From big data and cloud to AI and customer intelligence – WoD impresses with hands-on presentations, strong case studies, and an exhibition of innovative partners. Since 2023, the event has alternated annually between Germany and Switzerland. In 2024, around 850 participants from a wide range of industries came together in Munich.
smart data. smart decisions.
b.telligent is a technology-independent consultancy specializing in optimizing digital and data-driven business processes, as well as customer and supplier relationships. Around 400 employees work across nine locations in Germany, Austria, Romania, and Switzerland, serving over 500 clients.
