H&Z Connect
CTO Roundtable
24.03.2026 | Munich
At our CTO Roundtable in Munich, we exchanged ideas with executives on technology, engineering, innovation and R&D.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
Innovation that shapes the future
In an open, confidential setting, we discussed experiences and solutions from technology, engineering, innovation and R&D with executives from various industries – with a special focus on the use of AI in product development this evening.
Our conversations revealed the following essential learnings:
- AI will dramatically improve HW and SW engineering productivity and change the way engineers work
- Agentic workflows are leading edge and have the potential to replace many engineering tools
- AI does not work without structured, coherent data sets. AI implementation starts with data quality
- Unstructured AI implementation has many unwanted side-effects, for example dramatic increase in amount of human code review
- AI has its limits for embedded SW development, where 100% reliability is needed for decades of deployment
a few impressions
OUR KEYNOTE-SPEAKERS
Fred Hunsmann
AI Innovation & Strategy Manager
Fred Hunsmann has a master's in business informatics and a background in consulting, startups, and enterprise AI. At Allianz Technology, he drives AI adoption and change management. Off the clock, you'll find him outdoors or enjoying music.
Harald Seiler
Harald Seiler drives the development of modern cyber‑physical systems across software and heavy industry, combining deep technical expertise with a strong understanding of human needs in development. Close to the engineering front line, he sees firsthand how emerging AI reshapes industry—bringing both opportunities and risks.
Bernd Schönwälder
Strategic Advisor
Bernd Schönwälder is a member of the Committee for Research, Innovation and Technology Policy (FIT) of BDI and BDA, focusing on AI strategy and the federal high‑tech agenda. He also advises the Unite Board and is developing a AI‑supported organizational platform with cooperative.space.
HOSTS
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU to our future events!
Katharina Kleinlein
Senior Project Manager
Katharina has spent more than a decade advising technology-driven organizations across product and portfolio management, product development, engineering, and R&D. With a background in quantum physics, she brings a strong analytical perspective - while consulting with head, heart, and hand.
Dr. Roman Bauer
Partner
As Partner at H&Z with more than 30 years of experience in industry and consulting, I support the railway industry in turning complexity into opportunity – from digital transformation and new business models to driving sustainability.
