The Optimist – Conversations with the leaders and industries shaping Europe’s digital future
Episodes
If anything's possible with AI, then what do we value?
23 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Jochen Ditsche, Global Head of Digital Team at Roland Berger, about how AI is reshaping expe...
Beyond AI: The Human Factor in a Changing World
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickard speaks with Jan Brorhilker, Managing Partner Assurance at EY Germany, about how AI is reshaping leadersh...
Europe’s Path to Technological Survivability
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Holger Schell, Head of Technology & Foundation, Schwarz Digits, about the infrastructure lay...
From AI Pilots to Real Systems — Why Frameworks Matter
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
AI is everywhere — but most of it never scales. In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Matthias Emler, Partner at Horváth, abo...
From AI Hype to AI Workflows: Where do companies really create business value?
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Oliver Steil, CEO of TeamViewer, about what it really takes to move from AI experimentation ...
Europe’s AI Moment: From Industry Strength to Global Leadership
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickard speaks with Thomas Saueressig, Chief Customer Officer and Member of the Executive Board at SAP SE, about...
Digital Sovereignty: Can Europe Take Back Control?
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode of The Optimist, Dr. Dale Rickard is joined by Carla Husted (Mercator Foundation) and Kai Zenner (European Parliament) to tac...
AI, Strategy & Leadership - Leading End-to-End Transformation
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale Rickert speaks with Christian Kirschniak, Managing Director and Partner at BCG, about what it takes to move from...
Sovereignty Starts with Infrastructure
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Optimist, Dale speaks with Claudia Alsdorf, Head of Business Development at Schwarz Digits, about why sovereignty starts far ea...
Optimism in challenging times - Setting the Stage for TECH 2026
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Europe is at a turning point and we're exploring how to shape the future instead of merely reacting to it. Press play and join the movement.
What is the secret of reinventing organizations, Alexander Lorbeer?
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most “transformation” efforts flop – ada’s CEO Alexander Lorbeer explains why, what to do instead, and how AI might lead teams, but can’t re...
Can Sovereign AI be Europe’s superpower, Matthias Biniok?
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if Europe’s edge in AI isn’t speed or scale – but trust, values, and smart rules? IBM’s Matthias Biniok makes the case for “Sovereign A...
How is Germany’s Mittelstand winning in tech, Jan Brorhilker?
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can the Mittelstand go global, go green, and go AI? EY’s Jan Brorhilker busts myths about Germany’s quiet powerhouses.
Is technology the savior of bureaucracy, Robert Rosellen?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t print this email: ServiceNow’s Robert Rosellen on why Europe’s biggest digital opportunity lies in the public sector.
What is the real impact of virtual worlds, Sabine Scheunert?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Virtual twins are shaping real futures: Sabine Scheunert of Dassault Systèmes reveals why Europe’s next big leap won’t be physical, but virtual.
How can European startups reach the next level, Marco Iannaccone and Alexander Kudlich?
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A VC and a banker team up to fix Europe's growth funding gap – and they’re optimistic it’s not too late.
How can Europe lead the car-tech revolution, Frank Göller?
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The European automotive industry is under massive pressure — falling demand, shifting relations with the U.S. and strong competition from China. But...
What does it mean to be a tech leader, Thomas Saueressig?
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the fourth episode of The Optimist, we take you into the highest ranks of Europe's most valuable company: our guest Thomas Saueressig is a member o...
Are AI agents our new colleagues, Kathrin Schwan & Tobias Regenfuß?
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The third episode of 'The Optimist' takes you into the new world of work. Kathrin Schwan und Tobias Regenfuss, both Managing Directors and AI leaders ...
Andrej Levin, how do we benefit from AI?
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The second episode of The Optimists welcomes an AI optimist: the Global Lead AI at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Dr. Andrej Levin. Andrej is also Man...
Rolf Schumann, why do you want digital sovereignity?
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The inaugural episode of The Optimists welcomes a digital optimist and coder at heart: the Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits & CDO at Schwarz Group, Rolf Schum...