In the world of science and mathematics, there are events that stand out as signs of inspiration and innovation. The Heidelberg Laureate Forum (HLF) is undoubtedly one of them. As we celebrate its 10th anniversary, we dive into the attracting story of this unique gathering of minds, explore the profound impact it has had on the fields of mathematics and computer science, and take a glimpse into the exciting new frontier of AI.

Congratulations on the 10th Anniversary!

Before we get started, let us express our heartfelt congratulations to the Heidelberg Laureate Forum on reaching this remarkable milestone. A decade of fostering collaboration, encouraging talent, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge is a testament to its founders’ dedication and vision, as well as the constant dedication of all those who have taken part in this exceptional event. Here’s to another decade of brilliance and many more to come!

The Birth of an Idea

The story of the Heidelberg Laureate Forum begins with the vision of its founder, physicist and co-founder of SAP, Klaus Tschira, who aimed to close the gap between generations of researchers in mathematics and computer science. Inspired by the success of the Nobel laureate meetings in Lindau, Germany, they decided to create a similar platform for laureates in their fields.

In 2013, the first HLF came to life, bringing together laureates of prestigious awards such as the Abel Prize, the Fields Medal, the Turing Award, and the Nevanlinna Prize. This unique blend of mathematicians and computer scientists, both young and seasoned, set the stage for a decade of insightful discussions, collaboration, and mentorship. Since then, an annual networking conference with more than 200 carefully selected young researchers is being organized.

Opening Keynote of Dr. Philipp Herzig at the HLF

A Decade of Highlights

Over the past ten years, the Heidelberg Laureate Forum has seen plenty of memorable moments. From fascinating lectures by laureates to panel discussions on the future of mathematics and computer science, the forum has encouraged ground-breaking ideas and international cooperation.

One of the highlights of the HLF is the Hot Topic sessions, where young researchers get the chance to present their work to the laureates and receive invaluable feedback. These sessions often lead to mentorship relationships and collaborative research that can change the course of a young researcher’s career.

Like every year, SAP had the honor to host the event’s last day in St. Leon-Rot on Friday, September 29. The agenda for the day included several panel discussions and a scientific interaction, which all addressed the hot topic of AI and the relationship between academia and industry.

Dr. Philipp Herzig and Dr. Katharina Schaefer with young researcher at the HLF

This year’s hot topic: AI

SAP Business AI is rapidly transforming business processes and analytics, benefiting over 24,000 businesses globally. AI capabilities are unparalleled in combining AI’s power with the processes and data that power the business world, making it a game-changer in the industry – explained Dr. Philipp Herzig, Senior Vice President, Head of Cross Product Engineering & Experience at SAP in his opening speech. He further highlighted that in order to stay relevant with technological developments such as AI, businesses must collaborate with science and academia. However, science also must work with companies to remain relevant by applying its findings in the actual world. A symbiotic relationship that drives both presence and future.

Dr. Vinton Cerf, known as one of the fathers of the internet, focused on how we can ensure that AI benefits humans in an ethical way. He pointed out that he would not think of ethics as something you can teach, it’s rather something you can learn by experience and practice. What we would need is an environment where ethics are visible, and we want social norms that guide us in those ethical ways.

It’s also mentioned that people are increasingly reliant on software and that the programmers creating those tools have an enormous ethical responsibility to make those tools safe to use in terms of security, privacy and to avoid harm. “I hope that you will incorporate that concern into your thinking, in the design and implementation of the software, we are all relying on it.” said Vinton.

Also career paths for mathematicians and computer scientist were discussed in light of the rapid AI developments. Dr. Katharina Schaefer, Head of SAP University Alliances highlighted the benefits of working in industry versus academia, with her background from working at SAP in Germany.

In conclusion, we would like to thank all participants for this amazing event and to another decade of brilliance and many more to come!