Wie gelingt es, mit disruptiven Ideen Branchen neu zu denken – vom Fernsehturm über modulare Hotels bis zum Quantencomputing?

In dieser Folge spreche ich mit Oliver Blume, Unternehmer und Investor, der querbeet innovative Projekte vorantreibt. Er erzählt, wie der Kauf und die Sanierung eines 65 Jahre alten Fernsehturms zu seiner Vision von urbanem Wohnen mit platzsparenden „Box Apartments“ führte. Dabei musste er gegen traditionelle Bauvorschriften und das Unverständnis der Behörden ankämpfen – ein Beispiel, wie bahnbrechende Ideen häufig auf Widerstand treffen.

Oliver teilt zudem seine Erfahrungen aus dem Apothekenmarkt, wo er mit Discountkonzepten und Automatisierung alteingesessene Regeln brach, aber auch persönliche Anfeindungen und politische Kämpfe erlebte. Seine Geschichte zeigt, dass Innovation nicht nur Mut, sondern auch Ausdauer und kritischen Dialog im Team erfordert.

Außerdem berichtet er, wie er in das hochkomplexe Feld des Quantencomputings einstieg – getrieben von der Überzeugung, dass Deutschland diese Schlüsseltechnologie nicht verlieren darf. Dabei macht er deutlich, wie essenziell politische Weitsicht und konsequente Förderung sind, um im globalen Wettbewerb zu bestehen.

Diese Episode ist ein inspirierendes Plädoyer für freies Denken, die Kraft von „Rulebreaking“ und den Glauben an disruptive Veränderungen – für Unternehmer, Visionäre und alle, die an die Zukunft glauben.

What does it take to bring generative AI from groundbreaking tech buzz into practical, trusted tools embraced by a 45,000-strong global company? 

In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Hoyle, staff scientist and advanced technologist at ZEISS Group, who shares his journey from computational astrophysics to AI leadership. Ben unpacks the challenging cultural shift required for large enterprises to successfully adopt AI, balancing top-down endorsement with grassroots empowerment.

We explore:

- How Zeiss approaches AI adoption by showcasing real employee use cases to spark curiosity and inspire practical applications.

- The critical importance of building and rebuilding trust in AI within organizations, especially after early data leaks shook confidence.

- Why “just throwing AI” at problems rarely works, knowing when AI is the right tool versus sticking with proven tech.

- The evolving role of AI as an orchestration layer, enhancing rather than replacing deterministic systems.

- How scientists’ translation skills make complex AI concepts accessible across diverse teams.

- A compelling vision of a future where AI integration reduces screen time and reconnects us with more human experiences.

If you’re interested in understanding not only the tech but the human and organizational dynamics that will shape AI's real-world impact, this episode is for you.

Why do 90% of social benefit applications in Germany contain errors? And how can digitalization, user-centric design, and smart automation transform this cumbersome, costly system?

In this episode, I talk with Markus Poschenrieder from LeistungsLotse about their mission to guide citizens through the "jungle" of social benefits and reduce administrative overload. We explore how fragmented legislation and decentralized data create a maze of bureaucracy where people apply incorrectly or don’t apply at all, leaving many eligible benefits unclaimed and municipalities overwhelmed.

Key insights include:  

- The real-life impact of administrative “ping pong” and incomplete applications costing municipalities €260+ per case.  

- How LeistungsLotse's rule-based online platform centralizes information, validates applications for inconsistencies, and pre-fills required documents to streamline the process.  

- The delicate legal boundary between providing information and giving personalized legal advice, and why automation in this space must stay strictly rule-based.  

- The challenges of legacy software and contracting in public administrations, plus the growing openness now emerging towards innovative startups.  

- Accessibility and language as crucial factors for inclusive digital services, to ensure that the system serves everyone fairly.  

- The ideal future vision: no need to apply, just data-driven automatic benefit allocation with clear, user-friendly communication.

If you want to understand the governance, tech, and legal complexities behind social benefit digitalization, and why this desperately needed change is both an enormous challenge and opportunity, this conversation is for you.

What does it really take to transform a health app into a certified medical device? 

In this episode, I sit down with Hester Knol, a clinical research expert with extensive experience in medical device regulation. Together, we delve into the complex journey of getting a digital health app through clinical trials, the hidden challenges faced by startups, and the rigorous planning and evidence required, even for low-risk tools, to ensure safety and efficacy before reaching patients.

Key highlights include:

- An in-depth look at the process of developing a medical device, from initial idea to regulatory approval, focusing on digital health applications.

- The necessity of systematic literature reviews and the importance of generating evidence through clinical trials to demonstrate safety and performance.

- The role of clinicians and healthcare professionals in shaping and legitimizing digital health solutions, including how their acceptance can significantly impact the success of new products.

- The regulatory landscape, including the distinctions between different classes of medical devices and the implications of strict compliance requirements.

- Insights into navigating the commercial landscape, how to engage with healthcare insurers and understand market dynamics to ensure viability and demand for new health tech products.

If you're interested in the intersection of technology, healthcare, and regulatory challenges, this conversation is a must-listen!

What happens in the brain when we learn new information, and how can understanding fruit fly memory help us unlock the secrets of human cognition?

In this episode, I had an insightful conversation with Prof. Dr. David Owald, an expert in neurobiology, who delves into the complexities of memory storage and learning processes as observed in the humble fruit fly. We explore how these simple organisms can reveal profound insights into the mechanisms of memory and how our brains function.

Key highlights include:

- The role of synaptic plasticity in memory formation and how David studies these processes at the molecular level in fruit flies.

- The fascinating dynamics of the mushroom bodies in the fly brain and their critical role in how flies learn and remember odors.

- An exploration of how sleep affects memory consolidation, emphasizing the surprising parallels between insect and human brains.

- Insights into attention and decision-making, including how flies prioritize information and behavior based on their internal states.

- Discussion on the challenges and triumphs of scientific research, including unexpected findings that can reshape our understanding of memory mechanisms.

If you’re interested in how learning happens at the neural level, the parallels between different species, and the implications for understanding human memory, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss!

How did we get from the first AI models to today's cutting-edge language models, and what’s next for AI infrastructure?

In this episode, I sit down with Alex to explore the history of AI, from early perceptrons to GPT-4, and the often overlooked hardware and system engineering challenges behind modern AI.

We discuss why building and training AI models today is far more than just code and data, it’s about scaling infrastructure, managing distributed GPUs, and creating robust pipelines for fine-tuning and domain-specific AI.

Key highlights include:

• A deep dive into the evolution of neural networks, from perceptrons and backpropagation to transformers and LLMs.
• Why NVIDIA’s early involvement with AI hardware became a game-changer—and how GPUs moved from gaming to powering AI breakthroughs.
• The real cost and complexity behind training large models—and why fine-tuning, LoRA, and model distillation are critical for smaller players in AI.
• A behind-the-scenes look at AI infrastructure challenges: what it takes to train, distribute, and deploy models at scale.
• How Alex’s project Exalsius is building a platform to give AI startups and researchers better, more affordable access to distributed GPU compute, helping democratize AI development.

If you’re curious about where AI is headed, and what it really takes to build models beyond the hype, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

How can we ensure AI systems are innovative, safe, and trustworthy?
In this episode, I sit down with Arash Azhand, an expert in AI safety and assurance, to explore the challenges and strategies for building reliable AI systems. From safety in medical AI to continuous assurance practices, we dive into the processes shaping the future of trustworthy AI.  

Key highlights include:  
- Addressing regulatory gaps in AI for critical applications.
- Tools and frameworks for making AI decisions more transparent.
- Generative AI’s role in both cybersecurity risks and solutions. 

Curious about the future of AI and how it’s staying accountable? Catch the full episode to learn more!

Ever wondered how modern work frameworks can transform team dynamics and alignment?

In this enlightening conversation, I chat with Hannah Scheiffele, an expert in organizational development and HR strategy, about the challenges and triumphs of implementing “New Work” concepts such as flexible work environments, both remotely and on-site. We delve into the effective use of frameworks like OKRs to align team efforts, discussing the need for personalization and strategic adaptation to ensure everyone moves in harmony towards common goals.

Curious about making your team more cohesive, no matter where they work from? Check out the episode on your favorite platform.

Enjoy!

Ever wondered how the EU is shaping the future of AI?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christian Herles, a legal expert and thought leader in digital law, to explore the impact of the EU AI Act on the world of artificial intelligence.

Dr. Herles walks us through the intricacies of the EU AI Act—one of the most groundbreaking pieces of legislation in the AI space. We discuss how this regulation will influence innovation, address the ethical use of AI, and tackle critical issues like risk management and compliance. From legal liability in autonomous systems to safeguarding data privacy under GDPR, we cover the key challenges industries are facing today.

We also look ahead to the future: How will AI regulation evolve as technology advances? What responsibilities do businesses and developers hold in ensuring the ethical use of AI? And how can companies navigate these new legal landscapes while continuing to innovate?

Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, law, and ethics, and discover what the future holds for AI regulation in Europe and beyond.

Enjoy!

Ever wondered how AI is reshaping industries right before our eyes? In this episode, I sit down with Sven Spöde, a PR expert and seasoned AI enthusiast, to discuss the transformative power of AI in the business world.

Sven breaks down the five levels of AI development—from chatbots to fully autonomous systems—and we explore how businesses are already leveraging AI for growth. We dive deep into real-world applications, from improving workflows to empowering individuals and small businesses with AI tools like GPT models.

We also discuss the future: What will Level 3 autonomy look like? How are traditional industries being disrupted? And what are the big questions we still need to answer as AI continues to evolve?

Tune in for an insightful conversation about the impact of AI on business, the opportunities it’s creating, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Enjoy!