Particularly in the field of AI, public attention tends to focus on successful innovations presented like glossy magazine covers. Moments of failure and repeated setbacks along the path to professional success are rarely shared publicly, and even more rarely voluntarily. We are trying to change this in order to encourage innovation and foster a healthy working environment.

We work in partnership with FUN Hamburg e.V. and the Barthel Foundation (Varel).

„fail n‘ grow“ takes place at major international AI events as well as on a smaller scale – for example, in schools.

In 30 to 90 minutes’ time, we’ll be welcoming AI experts onto our stage, who will each have 10 to 15 minutes to share the story of their ‘fail’.

We bring decision makers and employees from the AI ecosystem to the stage to share insights into their professional journeys, including the failures they have encountered along the way.

Through an interactive Q&A, all participants are invited to ask questions, reflect on their own experiences, and gain a more realistic and encouraging view of what it means to build a future in AI. The session aims to empower people to embrace mistakes as part of learning and to help foster a healthier culture of growth, courage, and experimentation in the AI ecosystem.

„fail n‘ grow“ was developed by CAIREER (formerly: #I_make_AI), the international initiative for career guidance in the AI ecosystem. The initiative is led by Willms-Gymnasium, a public school in Germany. The events are moderated and organized by high school and college students, who contribute their personal experiences as well as their enthusiasm for a positive culture of failure and AI.

We will be taking part twice at the UN’s “AI for Good” World Congress on AI in Geneva:
– on 7 July from 1.30 pm to 2.00 pm on the Youth Stage (see here),
– on 9 July from 12.30 pm to 1.00 pm on the Youth Stage (see here).

We’ll also be taking part in bitkom’s European AI Summit “AIDAQ”:
– on 23 September from 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm on the “AI Expert” stage (see here).

We would be delighted to enhance your event with “fail n’ grow”.

All we need is a stage, a time slot of at least 30 minutes, and three months’ preparation time to find suitable guests.

We are a not-for-profit initiative that grew out of a school network. We do not charge a fee for our programme. However, we do rely on our travel expenses being reimbursed. We would, of course, also be grateful for any donations to a charitable organisation that supports us.

Please send an email to wiggers(at)imakeai.de, if you would like to invite us.