AI First – From Concept to Implementation

VBKI Digital and KI Park Hold Discussions with Leading AI Experts at SAP

Text by Jonas Koch | Junior Communications and Marketing Specialist

How can a company make the transition from individual AI applications to an organization that uses AI to reshape value creation? This question was the focus of the joint event hosted by KI Park, SAP, and VBKI on October 5, 2026: “The Path to an AI-First Organization: Rethinking Work, Processes, and Value Creation.”

Dr. Florian Schütz, Managing Director of KI Park; Ute Weiland, Managing Director of VBKI; and Stefanie Rütten, Ecosystem Development Lead at SAP, welcomed the guests. Dr. Florian Schütz and Dr. Norman Bernhardt, Co-Chair of VBKI Digital and Managing Director of Imendo, led the afternoon’s proceedings.

Three Perspectives from Business Practice

Florian Kunzke, Global Director of AI Strategy at SAP, explained why an AI-native organization needs more than just AI-powered software: business models, processes, and culture must also evolve.

Alexander Krimm, Head of AI Engineering at the WOCO Group, used quality management as an example to illustrate how an automotive supplier is charting a path from isolated pilot projects to the operational deployment of AI. Key factors include appropriate data, clear responsibilities, and employee buy-in.

Stefan Schultz, a member of PAYBACK’s executive board, focused on creating value for customers and the question of how AI is changing offerings and customer relationships. Overall, it became clear that AI requires not only data but also context—the understanding of what information means and how it relates to business decisions.

Four workshops provided concrete examples

Daniel Herrmann of Berlin Recycling and Dr. Marcus Voß of Birds on Mars discussed the interaction between humans and AI agents. Their key message: Leadership remains accountable. Employees need trust and a clear vision of their role in the transformation so that they can contribute their knowledge.

Steven Lewandowski of Addressable Value focused on measuring business value. This requires clear success criteria and collaboration between business units, technology, and leadership.

Dr. Marc Karahan of KI Park and Sebastian Bluhm of PLAN D developed a process from an “AI-first” perspective based on the quote preparation process. Their findings showed that even with increased automation, human experience and customer focus remain crucial.

Nico Schwarz of Kieback & Peter discussed governance as a prerequisite for the reliable use of AI. Data protection, data classification, and access rights must be clarified early on and embedded in the organization.

Conclusion: "AI First" is a leadership and strategic task

In the closing session, the workshop leaders summarized their findings. The clear conclusion: The path to becoming an AI-first organization is successful when companies rethink their processes, involve employees, and evaluate the benefits of AI based on shared goals. Reliable guidelines provide the foundation for this.
For companies, this means, specifically: selecting a relevant business process, defining the desired impact, and clarifying responsibilities. This transforms an AI pilot into a sustainable approach for the organization.

Photo credit: KI Park / Peter Mate