The Future of IT with GenAI
GenAI in Focus: A Look Back at the kobaltblau CIO Dialogue in Eltville
In the unique atmosphere of the historic Villa Mumm in Eltville, leading CIOs and IT decision-makers gathered at this year’s kobaltblau GenAI CIO Dialogue to engage in an in-depth discussion about the future of generative AI in enterprises.
The event was all about open, practical dialogue: What role does GenAI already play in IT organizations today? What challenges need to be overcome? And above all: How can companies successfully transition from initial use cases to sustainable scaling?
Between inspiration and concrete implementation
Three keynote presentations sparked discussion:
- Transforming the IT Organization: How is the role of IT changing in the wake of GenAI and Agentic AI?
Andreas Reuschl from kobaltblau drew on a current client project to discuss the organizational hurdles hindering the adoption of AI solutions and how the IT organization can be purposefully made “AI-ready”
- kobaltblau Study: „GenAI – The New Reality in the IT Organization 2026+“
Jennifer Diersch und Felix Salomon from kobaltblau presented the key findings of the study published in October 2025, which examines the impact of GenAI on IT organizations. It highlights the changes that will occur in IT processes themselves, how IT must position itself to enable AI for the business, and where companies in the DACH region stand in realizing AI’s potential
- Scaling AI Initiatives: What conditions must be created to realize true added value?
Tim Kappel from KION impressively demonstrated how AI scaling can be implemented in a globally active company and how AI can already deliver significant P&L impact today
Executive Workshops: From Discussion to Action
In interactive executive workshops, key issues were explored in depth and translated into concrete approaches. The focus included new organizational models for IT, readiness factors for successful GenAI transformations, best practices for the use of agentic AI, and new forms of collaboration between IT and business. The open exchange among peers enabled participants to share experiences, sharpen their perspectives, and learn from one another.
Interactive AI for our participants
The entire CIO dialogue was facilitated and documented by our HYPER.Sprint AI. From AI-assisted wine tasting and summaries of the dialogue content to an AI agent for follow-up discussions on the topic, all participants will have access to a platform containing the collective knowledge gained over the two days once the event concludes.
An exchange that has an impact beyond the event
In addition to the technical insights, it was above all the personal interaction that defined the event—whether during breakfast together, in the workshops, or as the day drew to a close.
Special thanks go to all participants as well as our research partners iteratec, VOICE e.V., and Lünendonk & Hossenfelder, who enriched this dialogue.
The GenAI CIO Dialogue has once again demonstrated the significant need for guidance, exchange, and concrete solutions. The transformation driven by AI is in full swing—and IT plays a key role in this process.
We look forward to continuing this dialogue.
