The Festival of the Future is one of Germany’s most exciting tech conferences. In 2026, the AI for Media Network will, for the first time, join as a program partner—with two panels on the role of media in the age of AI: How can journalism remain visible, and how are its business models changing?
From July 2 to 5, 2026, the Festival of the Future will take place for the fifth time on Museumsinsel in Munich. It is organized by the Deutsches Museum and 1E9, a future-focused magazine and innovation network that brings together people from technology, science, business, the arts, and politics. Within just a few years, the festival has evolved into a respected conference where technologies and their implications for society and democracy are discussed with a forward-looking perspective. This year’s topics include the future of medicine, deep-tech start-ups, the future of money, mobility, the future of music, science & arts, “Munich Beyond,” as well as artificial intelligence and robotics.
This is where the AI for Media Network comes in: In 2026, we are joining the festival as a program partner for the first time. In this role, we are curating two panels, both taking place on July 2.
What can journalism contribute to opinion formation in an AI-mediated information ecosystem?
From 2:00 to 2:50 p.m., we will address the question: “Answers Without Authors: What’s Left of Journalism When AI Responds?” First, social media feeds filtered what appeared in our public sphere. Now, AI tools are becoming the operating system of public opinion: they provide direct answers—often without visible sources. In this session, we will discuss how public opinion is shaped in this AI-mediated information ecosystem, what role journalism still plays, and what needs to change so that people can continue to understand where their information comes from. The panel brings together experts who will examine the topic from technological, journalistic, and academic perspectives:
- Uli Köppen, Chief AI Officer, Bayerischer Rundfunk
- Professor Klaus Meier, Chair of Journalism with a focus on Innovation and Transformation, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
- Monika Pilath, Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of News, DIE ZEIT
- Alexander von Streit, Founder and Publisher, Krautreporter
The panel will be moderated by Wolfgang Kerler, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of 1E9.
How can journalism still make money in the age of AI?
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the theme will be: “Zero Click, Zero Cash? Business Models for Journalism in the Age of AI.” People are visiting media websites less and less frequently—today, their questions are answered directly by chatbots and AI-powered search. Clicks on journalistic offerings are disappearing, and brand loyalty is eroding. At the same time, it is expensive to produce the content that AI tools depend on. In this session, we will discuss how business models in journalism need to evolve in the age of AI—and how media organizations can charge not only users, but also AI agents, for their content. The session will feature three short talks on different business models; the final list of speakers has not yet been confirmed. These will be followed by a fishbowl discussion, moderated by Bernd Oswald, Manager of the AI for Media Network. One chair in the circle will be reserved for the audience—anyone who wants to contribute their perspective to the discussion is welcome to take that seat.
Both of these sessions will be held in German. The broader festival program will also include panels in English. Confirmed speakers include Claudia Eckert, President of acatech – German National Academy of Science and Engineering; Björn Ommer, Head of the Computer Vision & Learning Group at LMU Munich; Gregor Schmalzried, tech journalist and host of a podcast on AI; and Janis Brühl, Team Lead Tech & Money at Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The conference will take place on July 2 and 3 at the Forum der Zukunft, Museumsinsel 1, 80538 Munich. Tickets start at 59 euros and are available here. Family Days will follow on July 4 and 5, with free admission.