Inspiration Days 2026: Shaping the future together with the KfW Banking Group

Technological innovations do not arise by chance. They are the result of courage, strategic decisions and a willingness to break new ground. This was the guiding principle behind the KfW Inspiration Days 2026, which took place on 9 June in Frankfurt as an in-house event for staff of the KfW Banking Group.

Under the motto “Innovation is not a coincidence; it is a decision”, the event focused on key issues for the future: the impact of technological transformation, geopolitical developments and the role of innovation in development finance. Representing Accso, Dr Xenija Neufeld (Head of AI) and Dr Wulf Oberschulte (Managing Director) were in attendance to share their perspectives on the responsible use of artificial intelligence and digital innovations in the public sector.

As a panellist, Dr Xenija Neufeld shared her views on artificial intelligence, innovation and digital transformation, and discussed with attendees how new technologies can be used responsibly and effectively. The event made it clear that future-proofing arises where different perspectives come together and innovation is actively shaped.

The challenges facing public institutions and development banks are constantly growing. Digitalisation, regulatory requirements and changing societal expectations call for new approaches. At the same time, artificial intelligence in particular opens up a wide range of opportunities to make processes more efficient, support data-driven decision-making and create new services for citizens and businesses.

However, technological innovation alone is not enough. What matters is how it is designed and deployed. Transparency, traceability and trust are becoming increasingly important as organisations integrate AI technologies into their workflows. Current research and practical approaches therefore emphasise the need for a human-centred and responsible approach to AI design that takes democratic and societal values into account.

As part of the Inspiration Days, participants discussed how innovation can be used in a targeted way to further strengthen KfW’s future viability. The focus was not only on technological developments, but also on how organisations can foster a culture of innovation in the long term.

Dr Xenija Neufeld shared her experience in the development of modern software and AI solutions. In discussions with KfW staff, it became clear that successful innovation always requires a combination of technology, expertise and people. New tools only realise their full potential when they are integrated into existing processes in a way that is understandable, trustworthy and meaningful.

Particular attention was paid to the potential of generative AI. These technologies are already transforming the way in which information is processed, decisions are prepared and knowledge is made accessible within organisations. At the same time, current developments show that the successful use of AI requires clear governance structures, transparency and a conscious approach to shaping human-technology interaction.

For Accso, a pragmatic approach is paramount: AI should not be an end in itself, but should create tangible added value – for employees, customers and society.

Would you like to find out how Accso can support your company with digitalization, AI, and innovation? Contact us for a no-obligation consultation!