Date
30 September 2025
within the Bits & Pretzels Festival
Venue
CIO AI Summit Area
within the Bits & Pretzels Venue
How to access?
Only included in CIO Tickets
What can you expect?
Actionable AI
Insights
Expert-Led
Roundtables
Peer Networking That Matters
Meet world class AI Founders
Part of Bits &
Pretzels
“The CIO AI Summit at Bits & Pretzels is the annual meeting of tech decision makers of industry
leaders.”
Shaping the Future of
AI in Enterprise
The AI Challenge For CIOs
How the CIO ai Summit Helps
What You personally Gain
CIOs & AI Founders on stage
Selected attending Experts
Preliminary Agenda
Gain exclusive insights from industry leaders and peers.
September 30th
9:00 - 13:15
Leading CIOs, industry experts, and top AI vendors share real-world strategies, case studies, and the latest trends shaping AI in enterprise. Moreover, investors and CIOs discuss how CIOs drive AI startup investments and steer the process.
13:15 - 14:15
14:15 - 16:00
Join expert-led discussions on AI strategy, implementation, and governance. Exchange ideas with peers and get actionable answers to your toughest questions.
16:15 - 17:00
Engage with world leading AI founders such as Thomas Wolf, Peter Sarlin, Maja Schaefer and Robin Rombach in round table discussions. Learn what’s possible and discover new opportunities for collaboration.
All-Day
Enjoy a dedicated space for high-value networking. Connect with fellow CIOs in a distraction-free environment.
17:00 - 18:30
Connect with fellow CIOs in the private lounge, mingle with AI founders.
18:30
An intimate evening for CIOs to exchange insights, build relationships, and discuss AI strategy over dinner in an exclusive venue.
MEET THE HOSTS
The CIO AI Summit's program is carefully crafted by our hosts.
Bits & Pretzels
Bernd is an experienced entrepreneur and Co-Founder and Co-Host of Bits & Pretzels. He demonstrated strong results both in the start-up and in the corporate environment. Among other projects, he sold his start-up to a DAX company and successfully set up a corporate venture for another global market leader. He brings a deep understanding of both stakeholders, corporates and startups to the summit.
Bechtle
Michael works with the CIO Community in Germany and Europe for more than two decades. As a Publisher (CIO Magazine), as a host to some of the most prestigious Community Events, e.g. CIO of the Year Germany and in Europe. As well as the Co-Founder of the CIO Stiftung at WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management. Michaels ambition at the CIO AI Summit @ Bits & Pretzels: Connecting the CIO community with the the most impactful technology of the future. And its Founders.
Our Curator
Niels Dörje is founder and entrepreneur. As Founding Partner of Chairpeople and Senior Advisor of Drake Star, he is mandated to tech company boards from founders and investors as a member of the Supervisory Board or Advisory Board (NXD). In this role, he advises companies on all strategy, organizational, product strategy and M&A issues.
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Thank you for your interest in the CIO AI Summit @ Bits & Pretzels 2025. Due to high demand, only waiting list spots are currently available. If a seat becomes available, we will contact you immediately so you can join the summit.
Check Your Eligibility*
Submit Your
Request
If you meet the criteria, you can the join the waitlist and will be considered if there are free spots left.
Join the WaitlistYOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST
If a seat becomes available, we will contact you immediately so you can join the CIO AI Summit.
*Participation Policy
The CIO Summit is a curated gathering designed for CIOs and senior technology leaders from companies engaged in industrial production and manufacturing (secondary sector). To ensure highly relevant discussions and peer-to-peer exchange, participation is limited to this audience and to one representative per company. Software solution and service providers are warmly invited to join the summit through our official partnership program.
Solution Partner
Service Partner
CIO Dinner Partner
Academic Partner
Moments that mattered
Experience the business magic of Oktoberfest
WHERE WE COME FROM.
Bits & Pretzels started as founders breakfast with just 80 participants. We dared to start and the spirit of supporting founders continues in 2025 and beyond.
Join our mission in helping founders shaping a better future.