PRESS RELEASE – Saarbrücken, 5 November 2026
Nearly 300 registrations for Future Talent Forum Germany 2026 as international leaders from business, academia, and policymaking gather to discuss AI, digital sovereignty, and institutional responsibility.
How can Europe strengthen its position in the global AI landscape? What capabilities will people and organisations need to navigate technological change? And how can businesses, universities and policymakers work together to turn technological potential into lasting economic and societal progress?
These questions take centre stage at Future Talent Forum Germany 2026, taking place today at Saarland University in Saarbrücken. Held in Germany for the first time, the international forum is jointly organised by the Scheer School of Digital Sciences at Saarland University and the Sweden-based Future Talent Council.
Under the theme “Governing the Digital Future – Talent, Technology, and Institutional Responsibility in a Changing World”, the forum explores three interconnected challenges: developing human capabilities in the age of AI, strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty, and enabling institutions to lead responsible and sustainable transformation.
The event has attracted nearly 300 registrations, with approximately 55 percent coming from business and industry and 37 percent from higher education, research, and training. Participants represent organisations from Germany, across Europe and beyond, reflecting the growing need for international collaboration on the future of technology, talent, and institutional leadership.
From Technological Innovation to Human Capability
Artificial intelligence is reshaping business models, professional roles and decision-making processes. Yet technological innovation alone will not determine the success of digital transformation. Equally important are the capabilities of people and the ability of organisations to adapt.
“Europe’s AI future will not be determined by technology alone, but by our ability to empower people to use it competently, critically and responsibly,” says Sebastian Kreibich, Managing Director of the Scheer School of Digital Sciences. “Our ambition goes beyond developing digital skills. We want to help organisations build the capacity to transform. New capabilities can only create lasting impact when structures, decision-making processes and ways of working evolve alongside them.”
The forum therefore moves beyond individual upskilling to address the institutional conditions required for meaningful change. Businesses, universities and public institutions must find ways to combine their complementary strengths and translate knowledge into action.
For Daniel Kjellsson, Director General of the Future Talent Council, this requires a broader understanding of how societies prepare for technological change.
“The future of talent is not simply about preparing people for new technologies. It is about rethinking how we learn, lead, and collaborate across institutions,” says Kjellsson. “If we want AI to contribute to long-term prosperity, we need to connect education, industry and policymaking in ways that create real opportunities for people and organisations. Future Talent Forum is designed to advance precisely that conversation.”
Digital Sovereignty Means the Ability to Act
Another central question is how Europe can strengthen its technological and economic competitiveness in an increasingly AI-driven global environment.
Digital sovereignty does not necessarily mean developing every technology or digital infrastructure independently. Rather, it requires the expertise to evaluate, manage and diversify technological dependencies, alongside strong European capabilities and resilient international partnerships.
Dr Ferri Abolhassan, Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom and CEO of T-Systems, addresses Europe’s competitive advantages in industrial AI in his keynote, “Leading the AI Era – Europe’s Advantage in Industrial Intelligence”.
Dr Christian Schmeichel, Global Head of People & Culture Services at SAP SE, explores how businesses and educational institutions can build future-ready capability ecosystems in his keynote, “From Knowledge to Capability: Building Future-Ready Talent Ecosystems”.
Other contributors include Prof Dr Ludger Santen, President of Saarland University, and Prof Dr August-Wilhelm Scheer, whose entrepreneurial work and the development of the Scheer Group have helped bring digital transformation expertise from Germany to international markets.
Alongside keynote presentations and panel discussions, eight interactive breakout sessions provide opportunities to explore practical challenges and potential solutions. Topics include digital sovereignty, data governance, innovation, future talent strategies, and the role of universities as drivers of economic and societal transformation.
Connecting International Perspectives with Industrial Transformation
Hosting the forum at Saarland University provides a setting where academic research, industrial expertise, and practical transformation meet.
Saarland’s industrial heritage, research institutions and experience in technological transformation offer a relevant perspective on the challenges facing many European regions. An optional visit to the region’s steel industry on 6 November will allow participants to explore industrial transformation in practice.
More broadly, Future Talent Forum Germany 2026 highlights the importance of connecting international expertise with concrete institutional and industrial challenges.
The partnership between the Scheer School of Digital Sciences and the Future Talent Council brings together applied academic education and an international network of leaders working on the future of talent, technology, and society.
About Future Talent Forum Germany 2026
Future Talent Forum takes place in Germany for the first time on 5 November 2026 at Saarland University in Saarbrücken. Jointly organised by the Scheer School of Digital Sciences at Saarland University and the Future Talent Council, the international forum brings together leaders and experts from business, academia, government, and public institutions to discuss the future of capabilities, technology, and institutional responsibility.
About the Scheer School of Digital Sciences
The Scheer School of Digital Sciences is a joint initiative of Saarland University and the August-Wilhelm Scheer Institute. It combines academic expertise with application-oriented education and professional development, supporting individuals and organisations in shaping digital transformation. Its portfolio includes academic degree programmes, continuing education and practice-oriented learning formats.
About the Future Talent Council
The Future Talent Council is an international network based in Sweden that brings together leaders from business, higher education, and policymaking. Its work focuses on future talent development, the transformation of education and work, and the societal implications of technological change.
Further information and programme: https://futuretalentcouncil.org/events/future-talent-forum-germany/
Press Contact
Danielle Solar
Executive Director
Future Talent Council
Email: danielle.solar@futuretalentcouncil.com