On October 3, 2025, the very first BilAI Industry Day took place at TU Graz. Researchers, industry experts, and innovators came together to explore how bilateral AI research can be translated into real-world applications, and how industry insights can shape future research directions.
The programme was led by hosts such as Robert Legenstein (TU Graz, BilAI) and Robert Peharz (TU Graz, GraML) as well as Horst Bischof (Rector TU Graz). The day included keynote talks by Stefan Rohringer (Infineon Austria) and Fabian Paischer (emmi.ai), plus lightning talks from contributors such as Kathrin Preiner (Fronius), Herwig Schreiner (Siemens), Thomas Pock (BilAI & GraML), Andrea Denger (AVL), Dan Alistarh (ISTA), Thomas Neff (Lumalabs.ai) and Axel Polleres (WU Wien), among others.
Rather than being just another conference, the Industry Day was designed as a meeting ground - a place where questions could be asked openly, where challenges from practice met new solutions from research, and where the spark of cooperation was felt in every discussion.
What made the day truly special was the diverse community in the room:
- Key researchers from the BilAI cluster and GraML, sharing insights into the latest advances.
- Industry leaders — from CTOs of established companies to founders of innovative start-ups and spin-offs.
- Decision-makers and strategists, bringing in a broader view on how AI can and should shape future industry and society.
- Young researchers and PhD and PostDoc students, who not only joined discussions but also presented their ongoing work during two Poster Sessions. These sessions provided a lively forum for early-career scientists to showcase their research, exchange ideas, and connect directly with industry and academic peers.
The atmosphere throughout the day reflected what BilAI stands for: bringing people together across institutions, disciplines, and borders. Whether over coffee breaks, in panel Q&As, or during the speed dating, participants emphasized how valuable it was to meet face to face and exchange perspectives directly.
With this inaugural edition, BilAI has launched a new forum that will continue to grow in the years ahead — a place where research excellence and industry expertise meet, shaping a collaborative AI future. A big thank you goes to all speakers, partners, and participants who made the first Industry Day such a motivating and memorable experience.
