6. Helmholtz Sustainability Summit

Sustainability and digitalisation - the twin transition in research organisations

On 17 and 18 November 2025, the 6th Helmholtz Sustainability Summit took place, an important step on our way to a sustainable future for research organisations. The main topic of the event was the twin transition of sustainability and digitalisation, an exciting future topic with a view to AI systems that will have a significant impact on our working world.

The aim of the event

The aim of the event was to inform and inspire participants to work together to find sustainable solutions to the challenges of our time. We didn't just want to talk about challenges, but above all highlight the opportunities that open up for research, business and society when responsibility and digital innovation go hand in hand.

The keynotes

Marcel Dorsch, from the Federal Environment Agency, and Thilo Pfletschinger, from COALAXY GmbH, each gave two very inspiring keynotes on 17 November 2025 that got people thinking. Marcel Dorsch called on the participants to actively work on the two transformation topics of sustainability and digitalisation, which are not identical twins, for our common digital future. With his economic perspective, Thilo Pfletschinger showed what contribution each individual can make and how this contribution can be made possible by responsible innovation.

Overarching impulses

Grischa Beier (RIFS) and Patrick Bungard (Tetranomics) provided all participants with a general introduction to each module session. Grischa Beier reported on the tension between the ecological footprint and the ecological handprint of digitalisation. Patrick Bungard demonstrated a voice-controlled live interaction with the AI system "Daphne" to show how hybrid intelligence can function as a new form of collaboration between humans and AI.

The modules

The event consisted of various modules, which took place in smaller groups. The topics in the modules were

Session I
- Module I: Sustainable digitalisation and AI - saviour or arch-enemy
- Module II: Sustainable skills development in the field of AI
- Module III: Cyber Security - The interface between technology, politics and society

Session II
- Module I: The digital employee - synergy or conflicting goals
- Module II: AI and digitalisation as a governance issue - enabling sustainable research and work
- Module III: Sustainability transformation and IDGs - social dimensions that should not be neglected

The results

The event was a great success and offered participants the opportunity to learn about the latest developments and trends in the field of sustainability and digitalisation. The most important results and findings of the event are

- The twin transition of sustainability and digitalisation is an important step on our way to a sustainable future.
- The opportunities and challenges of digitalisation must be tackled together in order to create a sustainable future.
- AI is an important driver for the transformation, but also a tool and co-designer.