How artificial intelligence is actually helping SMEs
Artificial intelligence is changing the business world – but how can it be put to practical use in day-to-day business? Under the motto “From AI tool to transformation in the company”, we will highlight relevant developments, upcoming trends and specific applications for SMEs.
You can look forward to inspiring keynotes, practical insights, interactive breakout sessions and open discussions – ideal for deepening your know-how and making new contacts in the innovation ecosystem.
Date: Thursday, 26.02.2026
Time: 1.00 – 5.15 pm
Location: Switzerland Innovation Park East
Lerchenfeldstrasse 3
9014 St.Gallen
The Innovation Forum is aimed at entrepreneurs, managers and those responsible for innovation as well as interested experts from industry.
The ticket price is CHF 195.
A special price of CHF 120 applies for members of SIP Ost or members of the IHK St.Gallen-Appenzell. Please enter your discount code when entering your address.
13.00 Arrival and coffee
13.15 Opening and welcome
13.20 Eastern Switzerland Digitalization & AI Barometer
Dr. Caroline Obolensky, TIDIT
13.30 AI as a location factor – Why technology adaptation is becoming an economic strategy
Dr. Marc Holitscher, Microsoft
13.55 From research to practice: risks and potential of AI
Prof. Dr. Mascha Kurpicz-Briki, Bern University of Applied Sciences
14.20 Panel discussion
Marc Holitscher & Prof. Dr. Mascha Kurpicz-Briki
14.35 Breakout session (first of the six sessions)
15.20 Break & Networking
16.00 Breakout session (second of the six sessions)
16.45 Between tradition, data and success: How FC St. Gallen uses AI for sport, fans and business models
Beat Kronenberg, FC St. Gallen
17.10 Closing remarks
17.15 Apéro riche
Moderation
Impulse interview
Sofia Truniger
University of St.Gallen
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Moderator
Dr. Caroline Obolensky
Thurgau Institute for Digital Transformation
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Eastern Switzerland Digitalization & AI Barometer
Speaker
Dr. Marc Holitscher
Microsoft
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AI as a location factor - Why technology adaptation is becoming an economic strategy
Prof. Dr. Mascha Kurpicz-Briki
Bern University of Applied Sciences
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From research to practice: risks and potential of AI
Beat Kronenberg
FC St.Gallen
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Between tradition, data and success:
How FC St.Gallen uses AI for sport, fans and business models
Claudio Minder & Karl Müller IV
kybun joya
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Breakout Session 1
Nico Forster
AI Pulse
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Breakout Session 2
David Buchmann & Michael Blickenstorfer
Huber Windows AG - Rimon Technologies GmbH
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Breakout Session 3
José Näf
Seamless AG & KMUmeetKI
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Breakout Session 5
Patrik Breitenmoser
Why AI
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Breakout Session 6
Breakout Sessions
Help shape your forum! Secure two breakout sessions practical, interactive, relevant
Breakout Session 1:
AI in everyday life: from customer service to game changer - practical examples from kybun Joya
Claudio Minder & Karl Müller IV
kybun Joya
How does a sluggish organization become an agile, AI-supported company? This session provides a practical demonstration of how kybun Joya is using AI to transform back office and customer service – speeding up processes, improving quality and reducing the workload on employees. Perfect for anyone who is about to make a change or would like to get to know AI in practice.
Breakout Session 2:
Man and machine interacting: How AI agents are changing the way we work
Participants will receive a practical overview of the phases of AI transformation: from the first experiment to holistic implementation. They will be shown how AI agents are changing the way we work and what new forms of collaboration are emerging between humans and machines.
Breakout Session 3:
Digital Walter: taking advantage of your own data
David Buchmann & Michael Blickenstorfer
Huber Fenster AG | Rimon Technologies
Strengthening independence: The session shows how companies can take the pressure off key personnel and secure knowledge through structured onboarding. Huber Fenster shows how the “Digital Walter” and AI are introduced step by step. Participants will gain practical insights for sustainable knowledge retention.
Breakout Session 4:
From buzzword to business value: successful AI applications with pilot engineering
This session shows how initial ideas are turned into AI projects with tangible business value. Based on IBM Client Engineering’s pilot engineering method, we will guide you through the process from use case identification and concept validation to the first functional AI pilot. The focus is on value creation, feasibility and a user-centered design that provides orientation for successful implementation.
Breakout Session 5:
The AI-supported knowledge worker: working in the age of AI agents
The world of work is characterized by a flood of information and high speed. But how can this pressure be turned into an advantage thanks to AI? Using use cases from a medical technology startup, the session will show how multimodality and intelligent agents can increase productivity, ensure quality and turn a flood of information into clear insights – a glimpse into the future of knowledge work.
Breakout Session 6:
Be Your Own Dev: How to automate annoying everyday processes yourself (without studying IT)
The session shows how AI agents, vibe coding and low-code tools can analyze and automate business processes without technical hurdles. A compact practical example shows how AI can provide direct support in everyday work. Ideal for anyone who wants to understand what is already feasible today – and how they can get started themselves.
Program
1.00 p.m.0
1.15 p.m.
1.20 p.m.
1.30 p.m.
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1.55 p.m.
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2.20 pm
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2.35 pm
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3.20 p.m.
16.00 h
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4.45 p.m.
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5:10 p.m
5.15 p.m.
Arrival and coffee
Welcome and opening of the Innovation Forum
Eastern Switzerland Digitalization & AI Barometer
Dr. Caroline Obolensky, Thurgau Institute for Digital Transformation
AI as a location factor – Why technology adaptation is becoming an economic strategy
Dr. Marc Holitscher, Microsoft
From research to practice: risks and potentials of AI
Prof. Dr. Mascha Kurpicz-Briki, Bern University of Applied Sciences
Panel discussion
Marc Holitscher, Microsoft & Prof.Dr. Mascha Kurpicz-Briki, Bern University of Applied Sciences
Breakout Sessions
1. realization
Break
Breakout session
2. realization
Between tradition, data and success:
How FC St.Gallen uses AI for sport, fans and business models
Beat Kronenberg, FC St.Gallen
Closing words
Joint aperitif riche
Many thanks to our sponsors!
Gold sponsor
Silver sponsor
Wine sponsor
Review
Organizers
REGISTRATION
A special price of CHF 120 applies for members of SIP Ost or members of the IHK St.Gallen-Appenzell. Please enter your discount code when entering your address.
