data:unplugged 2026 – aiXbrain in Münster
data:unplugged is one of the events in the German-speaking world where people working in the field of AI, representatives from companies and institutions, and those generally interested in AI come together to engage in conversation—away from glossy brochures, on equal footing. That was also the reason aiXbrain decided to participate this year: with its own booth and a presentation on the Dialog Stage.
At the booth: Explaining AI you can touch
At booth MS-20 in the South Hall, aiXbrain showcased its MachineGPT demonstrator—a sensor-equipped popcorn machine—amidst many other AI startups. The machine is equipped with sensors that collect operational data in real time.
MachineGPT links this data with technical documentation and machine-specific as well as product-specific domain knowledge to provide the operator with context-relevant information, for example:
- How does the machine work?
- What ingredients and in what quantities do I need for sweet popcorn?
- What should I do if the heat lamp flickers?
The feedback at our booth has shown that this specific use case generates a lot of interest and, as a result, sparks many questions—which is exactly our intention. Agent-based AI for industrial SMEs is no longer a topic of the future. The potential is real, the technical maturity is there, and the path from demonstrator to productive application is faster and easier than many expect.
On the Dialog Stage: Dr. Alexander Engels on agent-based AI
On Friday morning, aiXbrain CEO Dr. Alexander Engels spoke on the Dialog Stage at data:unplugged. The presentation addressed the question of how agent-based AI systems can be meaningfully deployed in industrial environments—and what prerequisites are necessary for this: reliable data sources, defined system boundaries, and transparent decisions.
His key question: What happens when AI says “No”? When it recognizes that a boundary is being crossed and signals accordingly.
This is precisely what the use of agent-based AI in industrial practice entails: not just an answer machine, but a reliable digital assistant with defined limits of action.
The presentation subsequently drew several visitors and interested parties to the booth.
Click here for the full presentation by Dr. Alexander Engels on the Dialog Stage
Conclusion
aiXbrain develops agent-based AI solutions for industrial mid-market companies and SMEs—vendor-independent, with a focus on short development cycles. In practice, this means solutions that work reliably, can be adapted, and evolve alongside technological advancements.
For this type of work, in-person networking is essential. It’s about understanding where companies truly stand in their AI adoption journey: which expectations are realistic, where uncertainties lie, and which use cases actually take priority.
Such insights don’t emerge in webinars. They emerge in conversations at the booth, after presentations, over popcorn.
data:unplugged 2026 was a great place for this—and we look forward to the conversations that will come out of it.
