Guess what happened last Monday night? No, it wasn’t just the usual Monday blues or a Netflix binge-watching session. It was something much more exciting – the first-ever AI Policy Slam took center stage at the Italian Embassy in Berlin! Yes, you read that right, it was world-wide (as far as my competitive research goes…).
Now, before you start picturing a formal, hushed affair, let me assure you, it was anything but that. My partner in crime, Andreas Daum, and I had been planning and preparing for this extravaganza for almost half a year. It was like planning a wedding, but with more algorithms and fewer flower arrangements.
As alumni of the Spinelli Forum, organized this year by the Institut für Europäische Politik e.V., we saw the perfect opportunity to sprinkle a bit of fun into policy-making. So, we turned the AI Policy Slam into a key event for this year’s cohort at the Federal Foreign Office in Germany. 🇮🇹🇩🇪 The Spinelli Forum initiative establishes a lasting network for young leaders from politics, business, academia, civil society, media, and culture in both countries. Participants have the opportunity to engage with experts and political decision-makers, working together to develop solutions for current European policy challenges. The aim is to provide a fresh impetus for a close and continually renewed partnership between Germany and Italy.
Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, the evening turned out to be a resounding success. Even our honorary ambassador of Italy, Armando Varricchio, couldn’t resist staying the entire evening, surpassing the initially anticipated attendance just for the reception. Now, if that’s not a testament to our accomplishment, I don’t know what is! 🌟
A massive shoutout to our incredible lineup of Slammers – Donato Boccardi, Gianluca ERRICO, Simona Autolitano, Carlotta Comite, Felix Benjamin Wagner, and our Slam champion Francesco Bono. You guys rocked the stage! 🎤 And let’s not forget our esteemed Jury members – Niklas Mayer, Manfred Meiss, and Nicole Manger – your wisdom and discernment added a touch of class to the whole affair. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the exceptional moderator Madita Lege. Her skillful guidance kept the audience engaged, allowing Andreas and me to navigate our nervousness. A big thank you to Julian Rappold and Simone Klee from IEP for being the wind beneath our wings in making this event a reality!
So Cheers to the inaugural AI Policy Slam, and here’s to shaping the future of policy-making with a dash of humor and a sprinkle of the unexpected! (Photos by Marlene Pfau)
