Online since 1985. Former advertising and marketing professional, fourtime founder, book author, experienced manager, and innovation enthusiast. Currently leading the Strategic Foresight & Advanced Business Innovation team in Beiersdorf's R&D organisation.
Day 1 | 17th March
12:25 PM OXFORD-STYLE DEBATE: TRUE or FALSE: AI will replace the customer
Secure your front row seat as the conference room becomes a battlefield. Witness industry experts fight their corner over the most controversial topics in your industry.
Who will deliver the knockout argument to claim victory? Take your seat and vote!
TRUE: Dirk Ploss, Associate Director Early Innovation, Beiersdorf
AI-driven simulations, digital twins, or predictive personas are increasingly used to anticipate customer behaviour so accurately that businesses may prioritise interacting with AI-generated models rather than real customer feedback. Thus, in practice, AI replaces the "need" to interact with the actual customer.
FALSE: Richard Love, Team Lead Customer Success & Operations, Kleinanzeigen
No matter how advanced AI becomes, it cannot replicate the human emotional landscape, social context, or unpredictable needs of real customers. Empathy, trust, and genuine feedback loops remain human territories.
Day 2 | 18th March
11:40 AM CASE STUDY: The Power and Pitfalls of Digital: How to remain relevant in a virtual world to boost engagement and drive conversions at scale
- Embracing Gen Z’s digital fluidity to connect with a generation that blur physical and virtual experiences
- Navigating the rise of spatial computing, AR and social filters to understand how digital overlays reshape brand perception and trust
- Adapting AI, AR and VR advancements to transform product discovery, storytelling, and customer experiences
Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Dirk.
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