“Digital X” Festival: Innovation, Inspiration, Impact

DIGITAL X is a digitisation initiative and a Deutsche Telekom festival. It has been addressing trends, developments and discussions regarding digital topics since 2018. For the first time in 2024, VOK DAMS as the lead agency took on the realisation, organisation, logistics and participation administration of the whole event under the motto “Ready for Impact”.

Six stages, over 250 speakers, 300 partner companies such as Samsung, Microsoft and Cisco, as well as a range of formats for discussions, information and sharing experience – including masterclasses, exhibitions and interactive spaces – were presented across an area spanning around two million square metres. The focal point of the content was the question of how digitisation can offer concrete solutions for economics, politics and society.

The DIGITAL X Cube in the MediaPark was the central element – an architectural anchor including the “Innovation Gallery” that presented the latest digital innovations, such as the AR laptop with a virtual 100-inch screen and the AI-supported testimonial “Judy”.

In addition, visitors could go on a digital journey of discovery through Cologne – in formats such as guided tours, drone soccer, the first robot-human flash mob and the many brand houses of the partner companies.

The accompanying DIGITAL X Summit also addressed key topics such as digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence and digital competence through panels and contributions. More in-depth content on the four megatrends of security, sustainability, future of work and connected business was provided by means of six curated stages. The high-profile guests included the national football trainer Julian Nagelsmann, Nico Rosberg, Dirk Nowitzki, the Signal President and AI researcher Meredith Whittaker and the NRW premier Hendrik Wüst.

In the evening, bands from Cologne on various stages invited visitors to enjoy a relaxing end to the day. One of the highlights was the Telekom Street gig by Die Fantastischen Vier.